Alright, folks, prepare to have your minds blown – and your wallets shaken! You might think you’ve got your broadband costs all figured out, but there’s a hidden expense lurking in your home: your Wi-Fi router. Yes, that unassuming little box that beams internet magic into every corner of your abode might be quietly sapping your hard-earned cash faster than you can say, “Alexa, turn on the lights.”
Sure, when you signed up for broadband, you probably had visions of binge-watching Netflix and dominating online gaming tournaments dancing in your head. But did you ever stop to think about the energy bill that comes with keeping your Wi-Fi router humming along 24/7? Probably not. And let’s be honest, who can blame you? We’ve all got more important things to worry about – like whether our Netflix subscription includes access to the latest season of Bake Off.
But fear not, dear readers, for the intrepid team at ISPreview has done the hard work for us. They’ve painstakingly calculated the annual energy costs of running Wi-Fi routers from all the major broadband suppliers, and let me tell you, the results are eye-opening.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the electrifying world of Wi-Fi router energy costs:
TalkTalk: The TalkTalk Hub 1 and Hub 2 come out as the thriftiest options, costing a modest £17.02 to £18.52 per year when idle, and £26.93 when actively running.
BT/EE: Next up, we have the BT Smart Hub 2 and EE Smart Hub Plus, flexing their muscles with prices ranging from £21.54 to a whopping £58.43 per year, depending on how much juice they’re using.
Sky: Sky’s offerings, including the Sky Q Wi-Fi and Broadband Hub, come in at a respectable £21.59 to £25.40 per year, proving that not all Wi-Fi routers are created equal.
Vodafone: Vodafone’s Wi-Fi Hub and Ultra Hub offer decent value for money, clocking in at £16.51 to £21.59 per year when idle, and £28.35 to £36.40 when actively running.
Virgin Media: Last but not least, Virgin Media’s Hub 4, Hub 5, and Hub 5x are the heavyweights of the bunch, costing between £23.30 and £34.27 per year when idle, and £30.15 to £39.40 when in full swing.
But wait, there’s more! These calculations are based on energy prices from January to March, so you might find your Wi-Fi router isn’t quite as thirsty for electricity now that the lower energy price cap has kicked in. Still, the differences between models are worth noting, especially if you’re not getting the most out of those fancy Wi-Fi 6 features.
So, there you have it, folks – the shocking truth about your Wi-Fi router’s hidden costs. Who knew that little box could pack such a financial punch? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go unplug my router and start hoarding those pennies like there’s no tomorrow!
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