Businesses should ‘switch off’ before the long weekend or they could risk paying bills they could have avoided, according to Utilitywise. The news comes as most people will be heading home for the bank holiday.

The firm says businesses that leave their appliances running or on standby during that period could get a larger energy bill. It claims a single computer and monitor left on for 24 hours a day will cost £45 a year. According to research by Carbon Trust, a small or medium sized business that leaves office equipments on standby during the evening and weekends pays in excess £6000 a year.

Adam Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Utilitywise said: “The extended bank holiday means there will be four days when thousands of firms are racking up energy bills they could do without.

“With budget’s tight, simple energy saving measures such as ensuring all IT equipment and lighting is turned off over the weekend will help firms save money and allow business owners to switch off and celebrate the Jubilee weekend.”