Energy costs for consumers: a simple gadget for pennies will reduce bills.

According to The Sun: Smart shoppers are rushing to Wilko to buy a bargain gadget that can reduce electricity bills — and its cost is lower than a loaf of bread.

In times of economic hardship, families are looking for ways to cut costs, and a simple timer for plugging in now costs just £1.75 in Wilko's closing sale.

This device will help save money by fighting against the 'vampire consumption' of electricity from your devices, and shoppers are urged to hurry while they are still on the shelves.

What is it?

This product is a Wilko 24-hour timer.

It is a simple mechanical plug that connects between the wall socket and your device.

You can purchase it via the 'click and collect' service at your nearest Wilko or The Range store, as well as with home delivery.

Timers are part of a large closing sale, so their price has dropped to a record low of £1.75.

How does it work?

You don't need to be a technical genius to use it — it's very simple.

The timer has a 24-hour dial and small pins around it.

You just press the pins to select the time when your device should turn on, and pull them out to turn off at another time.

For example, if you need the lamp to turn on between 6 PM and 10 PM, simply press the pins for that four-hour interval.

At other times, the timer completely cuts off the power to the lamp, so it doesn't consume a single watt of electricity.

This controller is suitable for most devices with a power of up to 13 amps and lamps up to 300 watts.

Lower your bills

Many of our devices are unnoticed energy consumers, even when they are in standby mode.

Experts call this 'vampire consumption,' and it can significantly impact your annual electricity costs.

A television on standby, a charger left on, or a gaming console waiting to be turned on all secretly consume energy.

According to British Gas, households can save about £147 a year by turning off so-called 'vampire' electronics.

Research showed that a television and receiver can tally over £47 annually toward that total.

Devices that consume the most power in standby mode include:

• Smart speakers and home devices
• Receivers and recorders
• Televisions
• Microwave ovens
• Phones, tablets, computers, and laptops left charging

By spending a little money on this smart plug, you can control how and when your devices work, saving up to £147.

How does it compare?

Tool Station sells a similar 24-hour mechanical timer for £4.99.

Amazon offers its version for £7, while Screwfix charges £12.

So currently, the Wilko version is the cheapest on the market.

It’s always worth comparing prices across different retailers to find the best deal.

There are many websites for this, such as Idealo, Price Spy, or even Google Shopping.

Other ways to lower bills

There are also other simple ways to reduce electricity costs, including signing up for the British Gas PeakSave program.

British Gas customers can join a free program that offers discounts for shifting electricity use to times when demand is lower.

More than a million customers get electricity at half price every Sunday and can also earn rewards for using renewable energy.

Since the program's launch in 2020, customers have saved over £28 million on their electricity bills, and more than 16,000 customers have saved over £100 each.