As your TV show wraps up, you lean over to grab the remote and turn the tele off. The screen fades to black - and that’s the exact moment your TV stops using electricity, right?
Wrong.
Standby power - sometimes referred to as phantom load, ghost load, vampire power and other oddly spooky names - is the name given to electricity that your household gadgets and gizmos use when they’re left on standby.
From your microwave to your Xbox and everything in between, there are probably dozens of appliances in your home that are quietly drawing power while on standby. Essentially this means that you’re paying for power that you’re not even using.
Turning these appliances off at the wall can help you save power, but how much of an impact does it really have on your power bill?
How standby mode works
Standby mode isn’t the same as completely powering down a device. Standby is an operational mode that requires a small amount of electricity to power certain components of an appliance, such as:
- A remote control receiver
- Text displays
- Light displays
- An internal or external power supply
Look around your home. If an appliance has an LED light, digital clock or a remote control, there’s a good chance it’s consuming standby power as you’re reading this.
You might be surprised to learn that, until recently, there were no rules surrounding standby functionality, and many appliances drew huge amounts of power while in standby mode. It wasn’t until the first decade of the 2000s that developed nations began introducing regulations regarding standby power efficiency.
How much does standby power actually cost?
The average home spends about $100 annually on standby power. That might not sound like too much in the grand scheme of things, but let’s put it into context.
Experts estimate that about 7 percent of the average Kiwi household power bill is wasted on standby power. As a nation, that’s about $100 million per year squandered on appliances that aren’t actually doing anything. In terms of energy consumption, we could power the city of Nelson for a full year with the amount of electricity we waste annually on standby power.
Identifying the guilty culprits
When it comes to standby power, some appliances are thirstier than others.
The most expensive devices to leave on standby are typically those that perform a lot of background functions.
For example, some gaming consoles in standby mode will check for Wi-Fi connectivity, download the latest updates and await activation via remote or voice command - all of which require a certain amount of power.
You probably also have some devices that don’t necessarily draw a large amount of standby power but are used so infrequently that it doesn’t make sense to leave them on standby 24/7. For instance, printers, scanners and dehumidifiers all use power while in standby mode despite being rarely used in most households.
How to reduce standby power consumption
1. Turn your appliances off at the wall
The most effective way to reduce the amount of standby power you use is to turn your devices and appliances off at the wall when you’ve finished using them. Make life easier for yourself by plugging your standby appliances into a power board, which will allow you to switch off multiple appliances at once. You might also want to consider picking up a time controlled switch, which can automatically turn your devices on and off at specified times.
2. Invest in energy efficient appliances
When it’s time to replace one of your appliances, consider investing in a more energy efficient model. An appliance’s energy efficiency rating refers to how much electricity it consumes while it’s running, but it’s also a good indicator of how much power it draws while on standby. You can use the Energywise Rightware tool to get an idea of how much a particular model will cost to run.
3. Change your standby settings
Most modern TVs, computers, laptops and gaming consoles are highly configurable and allow you to change which functions they can and can’t perform while in standby mode. Disabling certain functionality (such as automatically checking for a Wi-Fi signal or downloading content) can help reduce standby power consumption.
Save money on your power bill
Turning off your appliances at the wall won’t magically cut your power bill in half, but it can help you further conserve energy and save on electricity. Every little bit counts!
As one of the leading providers of low-cost electricity in New Zealand, we pride ourselves on keeping our prices low. Give us a call today on 0800 785 733 to find out how much you could save by making the switch to Pulse Energy.
FAQs
Many appliances continue to use electricity even when they are shut off. The same goes for all those chargers, whether or not they are charging a smartphone. Everything you leave plugged into an outlet—appliances, computers, consoles, chargers, lamps, and more —draws energy even when not in use.
Does turning the switch off save electricity? ›
Turning off your appliances at the wall won't magically cut your power bill in half, but it can help you further conserve energy and save on electricity.
Does unplugging things really save money? ›
While unplugging appliances can reduce your energy costs, you have to decide whether the savings are worth it. The United States Department of Energy estimates that you can save $100 per year on your energy bill by unplugging your appliances. That comes out to $8.33 per month (or about 27 cents per day).
Does turning off lights really save electricity? ›
Yes and no; it all depends on the bulb type you use. If you are using incandescent, halogen, or LED bulbs, turn them off when not in use. If you are using a CFL light and will be gone for less than fifteen minutes, leave the light on.
Does turning your breakers off save electricity? ›
Though a circuit will trip on its own, the breaker is not made to turn on and off repeatedly. Each time you completely turn off your circuit breaker, it wears down, effectively reducing its lifespan. Flipping breakers may be necessary if you're trying to fix a power problem, but it's not ideal for saving electricity.
Is unplugging better than turning off? ›
How much money does unplugging things save? It's estimated that devices left plugged in and unused account for 10% of the average household's utility bill. By properly unplugging your appliances, you can save as much as 10% on your utility bill.
Do things still use electricity when turned off? ›
Many appliances continue to use electricity even when they are shut off. The same goes for all those chargers, whether or not they are charging a smartphone. Everything you leave plugged into an outlet—appliances, computers, consoles, chargers, lamps, and more —draws energy even when not in use.
What appliances use the most electricity when turned off? ›
What appliances use the most energy on standby mode and when powered off?
- Television.
- Printer.
- Central heating furnace.
- Microwaves.
- Computer. There are a few ways to solve for vampires. First, you can unplug an appliance when you're not using them.
Did you know that when your appliances or electronic devices are plugged in, they're draining energy – even if they're not in use? Phantom power, also called standby power, refers to the energy that's wasted around your home when devices are plugged in and using power, but you're not actively using them.
Should you unplug everything at night? ›
How much electricity do appliances use when turned off? Some device may take just a small amount of energy but it's always wise to unplug, especially older inefficient products. The average amount of energy consumed by gadgets on standby or in a non-active state between 9% and 16% of a home's total energy bill.
A light only uses power when it is on, and it doesn't use *extra* power to turn on. It's either on or it isn't. So the more you turn it off, the more power and money you save. It's not like a car, which actually does burn more fuel while you're starting it than when you leave it idling.
Does leaving lights on run up an electric bill? ›
Lightbulbs can suck a lot of electricity when left on for long periods of time. It's likely that your electricity bill is rising for every extra minute you leave that light on.
Does TV use a lot of electricity? ›
How much electricity does a TV use? Generally, TVs use between 50 to 200 watts (W) of electricity, depending on the model. Most TVs use less than one amp and connect to a 120-volt outlet. Older TVs that use technology such as Plasma and CRT are much less efficient compared to newer LED and LCD TVs.
Should you turn off electricity when not in use? ›
Why. About 1/3 of the electricity used in commercial buildings is for “plug loads.” That's all the stuff we plug in: computers, monitors, printers, coffee makers, etc. Simply turning off electrical equipment when not in use reduces the energy used to run that equipment as well as air conditioning energy.
Is it OK to turn off all breakers? ›
In conclusion, turning off circuit breakers can be both safe and necessary in certain situations. When working on electrical installations or repairs, during emergencies, when leaving for extended periods, or when diagnosing electrical issues, it is advisable to turn off the corresponding circuit breaker.
How to save a lot of electricity? ›
Tips for Saving on Your Electric Bill
- Turn Down Your Thermostat. It's one of the most effective ways to cut your energy usage. ...
- Take Care of Your Furnace. ...
- Keep the Cold Out. ...
- Turn Down the Tank. ...
- Cook Smart. ...
- Think Before You Wash and Dry Clothes. ...
- Reduce Phantom Load.
The wall socket switched off uses essentially no electricty. A device that is switched off, but connected to an energized wall socket, will draw power and varies greatly from device to device. Many devices are really in a standby mode and are drawing many watts when "off".
Do you switch off or unplug to save electricity? ›
Switch off and unplug
Even when they're switched off, some appliances will still draw power. Turn off and unplug everything! TV's, microwaves, computers, kettles, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, heaters, phone chargers, even your electric toothbrush!
Does leaving switch on cost electricity? ›
So turning off empty sockets doesn't really do anything. But let's take a look at what happens when you leave something plugged in and switched on. According to the Energy Saving Trust, any switched on charger that is plugged in will still use electricity, regardless of whether the device is attached or not.
