Failing to turn off office equipment and systems – PCs, printers, copiers and fax machines – but leaving it on standby over the Christmas period wastes energy equivalent to roasting 4.4 million turkeys.

That is the finding of research from imaging technology firm Canon, conducted to reveal the environmental and cost impact. Canon found that the practice wastes 43.6 million KwH of electricity, worth £8.66 million to British industry – and also enough to microwave 268 million mince pies or power 350,000 Christmas tree lights for the entire 10 days.

In addition, the research shows that 19,000 tonnes of C02 emissions will be produced, enough to fill 20,000 25-metre swimming pools.

“It’s clear that some equipment needs to be left on over the Christmas period for security reasons,” says Canon marketing director David Smith, “but these amazing figures show that businesses that don’t turn off their PCs and printers are literally throwing money away, as well as damaging the environment over the festive period. We have only looked at office equipment that is left in standby mode – so imagine how much higher these figures could be if devices are left completely on.”

And the same applies to home appliances. Canon local agents Avantech Ltd recommend that businesses turn off devices overnight and at weekends, and points out that its printers have on-demand fusing technology, providing fast warm-up and using just three watts of energy in standby mode.