The 5 Appliances to Unplug During a Heatwave to Keep Your Home Cooler and Lower Your Energy Bills

When a heatwave hits, most of us focus on staying cool and looking after ourselves – wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated, and keeping our homes comfortable. But soaring temperatures can also take a toll on the appliances we rely on every day.

From working harder than usual to generating excess heat and consuming more energy, some household appliances can become less efficient during periods of extreme heat. In some cases, leaving them plugged in unnecessarily can contribute to overheating, extra wear and tear, and increased energy use.

The good news is that a few simple adjustments can help. In fact, some of the same appliances experts recommend unplugging during a heatwave also feature on the list of items you should always unplug before leaving the house, and before going on vacation, helping to reduce energy waste, minimize potential safety risks, and even support efforts to improve your home's EPC rating by cutting unnecessary electricity consumption.

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We asked electricians and appliance experts which appliances are worth unplugging during a heatwave, and why doing so could help keep your home cooler, lower energy bills, and protect your appliances for the long term.

1. Small Non-Essential Appliances

It’s easy to overlook just how many small appliances are plugged in around the home at any given time. From phone chargers and gaming consoles to electric toothbrush chargers and beauty tools, many of these devices continue drawing power even when they’re not actively being used.

'During a heatwave, unplugging anything non-essential can be a surprisingly effective way to reduce unnecessary energy consumption,' says Amanda Nelson, Co-Owner of Young Cardinal Electric. 'Not only does this help limit excess heat generated indoors, but it also reduces demand on local power grids, which are often under increased pressure as households ramp up air conditioning and cooling systems.'

Experts recommend unplugging items such as chargers, personal electronics, gaming consoles, essential oil diffusers, and small beauty appliances when they’re not in use. As a bonus, cutting so-called 'phantom' energy use can also trim your electricity bill and support efforts to improve your home's EPC rating over time.

The advice mirrors guidance around the items you should always unplug before leaving the house: if you don't need it, don't leave it plugged in. During a heatwave, this simple habit can help keep energy use in check while taking a little pressure off both your home and the wider grid.

2. Countertop Appliances

While it’s not practical – or even possible – to unplug larger appliances such as refrigerators or ovens during a heatwave, smaller countertop appliances are a different story. Kettles, toasters, coffee makers, blenders, and air fryers are all easy to unplug when they’re not in use and can be left disconnected until you need them again.

As well as drawing small amounts of standby power, these appliances can be more vulnerable to power fluctuations during periods of high electricity demand. Unplugging them helps reduce unnecessary energy use and removes the risk of appliances being damaged by unexpected power surges.

By contrast, larger appliances are often protected by dedicated circuits and built-in safety measures, meaning they generally don't need to be unplugged during hot weather. Instead, focus on the small appliances you use intermittently. It’s a quick, low-effort habit that can reduce energy waste, help improve your home's EPC rating over time, and is another smart addition to the list of items you should always unplug before leaving the house.

3. Air Conditioning Units And Fans

It may seem counterintuitive to include air conditioners and fans on this list during a heatwave, but there's no need to switch them off if you're actively using them. Instead, pay attention to how hard they're working. Cooling appliances often run almost continuously during extreme heat, which can put extra strain on older models or units with worn components.

‘In the extreme conditions experienced during heatwaves, appliances can be more susceptible to overheating, especially if they are older or have worn components. Unplugging them reduces the risk of overheating, which can lead to malfunctions, damage to the appliance, or even fire hazards,’ says Bill Gilbert, Technical Writer and Resident Appliance Expert at iFixit.

There can also be wider energy implications during periods of prolonged heat. ‘I could imagine unplugging a window-mount air conditioner if there was potential to stress the local power grid,’ says Bill Gilbert, Technical Writer and Resident Appliance Expert at iFixit. ‘California has a "Flex Alert" system where residents are asked to voluntarily reduce electricity use during times of exceptionally high demand, such as heatwaves, to help prevent strain on the grid and reduce the risk of blackouts.’

The key is to use cooling appliances intentionally. If a fan or portable air conditioner isn't needed, switch it off and unplug it rather than letting it run continuously. After all, the goal is to keep a home cool in a heatwave as efficiently as possible, and running appliances unnecessarily only creates extra heat and energy demand.

Setting cooling appliances on a timer can help prevent wasted electricity while ensuring your home stays comfortable when temperatures soar. For a simple, budget-friendly option, the top-rated BN-LINK 24-Hour Mechanical Outlet Timer lets you schedule exactly when fans and portable air conditioners switch on and off. If you prefer smart home controls, the GHome Smart Plug works with Alexa and Google Home from Amazon, allowing you to manage appliances remotely and set customised schedules from your phone.

4. Computers And Home Office Equipment

With so many people now working from home, home office equipment can be an overlooked source of extra heat during a heatwave. Desktop computers, monitors, printers, and docking stations all generate warmth while they're running, and that heat can quickly build up in smaller rooms, making an already warm space feel even more uncomfortable.

Unlike many household appliances that are used only briefly, office equipment often runs continuously for hours at a time. Desktop computers, in particular, rely on internal fans to cool their components, meaning they're constantly pushing warm air back into the room. Add multiple monitors and charging devices into the mix, and your workspace can start to feel noticeably warmer.

When you've finished for the day, it's worth shutting down and unplugging equipment that doesn't need to stay on. Printers, speakers, extra monitors, and chargers are especially easy to disconnect, helping to reduce standby power and prevent unnecessary heat from lingering in your workspace.

If you're trying to keep a home cool in a heatwave, every small source of excess heat matters. Turning off and unplugging home office equipment overnight won't replace air conditioning, but it can help create a more comfortable environment while lowering energy use and giving your devices a break after a long day of use.

5. Appliances That Generate Extra Heat

During a heatwave, it's worth paying attention to the appliances that create unnecessary heat indoors. Table lamps, decorative lighting, and other small electrical items may not seem like obvious culprits, but many bulbs give off heat while they're switched on, subtly warming up a room throughout the day.

If possible, make the most of natural daylight and keep lamps switched off until the evening. It's a small change, but one that can help reduce heat build-up and lower electricity use at the same time.

A heatwave can also be a good reminder to check the bulbs you're using around your home. Older incandescent bulbs, in particular, generate far more heat than modern LED alternatives, which run cooler and use significantly less energy.

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Ultimately, keeping your home comfortable during extreme heat often comes down to reducing unnecessary electrical demand wherever you can. Limiting the use of heat-generating appliances and lighting is a simple step that can help keep rooms cooler, cut energy consumption, and ease the strain on both your appliances and the wider power grid.