Do you leave the lights on when your dog is home alone? If so, you're not alone. Research from the UK reveals that millions are spent each year by pet lovers leaving on TVs, radios, lights, heaters, and fans to ensure their pets feel comfortable while they're away.
A study by Uswitch found that over 80% of pet owners leave at least one electrical appliance on for their dog when they’re out. The most common appliances include: Lights, Heating and Fans, Entertainment. These habits can significantly increase household energy usage, particularly when paired with additional gadgets like monitoring cameras, GPS trackers, and pet activity trackers.
With Australians paying some of the highest energy bills globally and 63% of households owning pets, it’s clear this trend isn’t limited to the UK. Australia has over 4.2 million dogs, and pet owners may also be unknowingly driving up their energy costs through similar habits.