Standby power: the hidden costs of 'vampire' devices

Even when you're not actively using them, devices like televisions, microwaves, and computers continue to use power for functions like clocks, timers, or remote control readiness. According to the Energy Saving Trust, between 9% and 16% of all electricity consumed in homes is from devices on standby.

What does standby mean?

Standby mode is a low power state that allows appliances to remain ready for quick activation. For instance, a television in standby mode can be turned on almost instantly with a remote, avoiding the need for a lengthy boot-up process. However, this convenience comes at a cost, as the device continues to draw power to remain in this state. The power usage may seem minimal, but over time and across multiple devices, it can become a significant contributor to your overall energy use.

The hidden costs of convenience

While individual devices may only consume a small amount of power on standby, when multiplied across multiple appliances and over time, the total energy consumption can be considerable. This hidden cost often goes unnoticed until it reflects in your electricity bills. According to a recent study from Go.Compare Energy, UK households who leave common devices on standby when not in use could be wasting up to £80 every single year. It calculated the figure by estimating the annual costs of leaving 11 popular devices on standby for 20 hours per day, including set-top boxes (£33.59 per year), TVs (£9.50), laptops (7.59), microwaves (£6.64), and even coffee machines (£5.69).

The environmental implications

Standby power is not just a financial issue, but an environmental one, too. The energy consumed by devices in standby mode contributes to the overall demand on power plants, leading to increased carbon emissions. Reducing standby power usage is an easy yet effective way to lower your household's carbon footprint and contribute to broader environmental conservation efforts.

Finding the biggest culprits in your home

By taking a closer look at your energy consumption, you can gain vital insights into how much energy is being consumed by appliances in standby mode. Many utility companies offer live breakdowns of the energy you're currently consuming online or via an app, highlighting areas where it's higher than expected. This information can be invaluable in identifying which appliances are the biggest culprits and where efforts to reduce standby power can be most effective.

Common vampire devices

• Televisions and set-top boxes: modern televisions and cable boxes consume power even when turned off, maintaining connectivity and updates. This is particularly true for smart TVs, which often remain connected to the internet for updates and streaming readiness.
• Microwaves: the clock and sensor features in microwaves require continuous power. While the energy usage for these features is minimal, it adds up over time, especially in households where the microwave is a central appliance.
• Computers and peripherals: even when shut down, computers and their accessories (like printers and scanners) draw power. This is because many devices are set to remain in a ready state for quick boot-ups or instant use.
• Chargers: mobile and laptop chargers consume power when left plugged in, even if the device is not connected. This phantom power can be a significant source of energy wastage in homes with multiple devices.
• Gaming consoles: consoles often stay in standby mode to allow for quick start-up and updates. Gamers might appreciate this feature for convenience, but it contributes to higher energy bills.

Seasonal variations in standby usage

Standby power usage can fluctuate with the seasons. For instance, during colder months, households may use more electronic devices, thus increasing standby power consumption. Being aware of these patterns can help in planning and implementing strategies to manage standby power usage more effectively throughout the year.

Strategies to reduce standby electricity usage

Reducing standby power usage is a straightforward way to decrease energy consumption and save on your electricity bills. Here are some practical strategies that you can implement today in your home.

Unplug appliances

The simplest way to eliminate standby power consumption is to unplug appliances when they are not in use. This is especially practical for devices that are used infrequently. A habit of unplugging can be developed by keeping appliances on extension leads, which can be easier to access than socket-outlets hidden behind devices and furniture.

If you are going to use an extension lead, please do so safely by ensuring you're not overloading the socket-outlet. Plugging too many devices into one extension lead can overload the electrical circuit and even result in electrical fires.

Use smart plugs

Smart plugs can be controlled using an app on your phone and can provide you with data on how your appliances are using energy in your home. Many of these smart plugs enable you to automatically cut power to appliances that are in standby mode. They can detect when a device is not in use and shut off the power, thus preventing unnecessary energy consumption.

Enable energy-saving features

Many modern appliances come with energy-saving modes. Ensure these features are activated to minimise power usage when the device is not actively in use. Checking the user manuals of your appliances can reveal hidden features that can contribute to energy savings.

Use a smart meter

A smart meter can help you be aware of the appliances that are using the most electricity in your home. Not only can it help you identify the worst vampire power consumers in your household, but it can also help you understand other places you might be wasting energy - whether that's accidentally leaving lights on or forgetting to turn the heating down when you're out at work.

Educate your household

Many people are unaware of just how much keeping devices on standby can cost. Raising awareness among family members about the impact of standby power can encourage everyone to adopt energy-saving habits, such as turning off devices completely and unplugging them. If you have a smart meter, you can turn keeping costs down into a fun game for the whole family to get involved in, with prizes for the biggest energy savers!

How reducing standby power contributes to electrical safety

Reducing power consumption from devices on standby mode doesn't just save you energy and money. It also contributes to improved electrical safety and minimises the risk of electrical fires and shocks.

Lower fire risk

Devices that remain energised – even in standby mode – keep internal components warm. Over time, this can increase the likelihood of overheating, especially in older or poorly maintained appliances. Reducing standby power by unplugging unused devices or using smart plugs minimises the number of appliances drawing power unnecessarily, helping reduce the risk of electrical fires caused by overheating or faults.

Reduced strain on wiring and socket-outlets

Every plugged‑in device contributes to the load on household circuits. Standby loads across many appliances, chargers, and gadgets can cumulatively add strain to socket-outlets, extension leads, and circuits. By cutting standby consumption, you can reduce unnecessary electrical load in your home and help prevent overloaded circuits – a known cause of electrical hazards and fires.

Better electrical habits

Devices left plugged in are often forgotten about – as is their condition. Unplugging unused appliances encourages more regular inspection of cords, plugs, and equipment. This can help you minimise the risk of faults developing and keep your home and family safe.

If in doubt – let an NICEIC-registered electrician sort it out

Keeping an eye on the devices you have on standby around your home is something all homeowners can be doing day-to-day to save energy and keep costs down.

However, if you ever have any concerns about electrical safety in your home, that’s something a registered electrician should be sorting out. Signs of overloaded circuits and electrical faults include the smell of burning, buzzing sounds, flickering lights and plugs that become very hot to the touch when plugged into a socket-outlet. These are all indicators that something’s not right and you should get an electrician to check these out to minimise the risk of dangerous hazards like electric shocks and fires.

You can find an NICEIC-registered electrician near you using NICEIC’s Find a trusted tradesperson tool