Cutting standby power at home

Why standby power exists

A television switched off with the remote, a set-top box with a dark screen, a charger left in the wall after the phone is full: none of these are truly off. Part of the circuitry keeps running to wait for a remote signal, keep a clock going, or start up faster. The electricity flowing in that state is standby power. Each device draws only a little, but it does so around the clock, all year. You might use something for a few hours a day, yet it sits on standby for all the rest, so even a small draw multiplied by that many hours becomes hard to ignore. How much of your bill it accounts for varies from home to home, so checking beats guessing.

Find the always-on devices first

Walk round your home and note anything that shows a light or a clock, or feels warm, while supposedly off. These tend to cluster around the TV in the living room and under the desk around the computer. Making a list also shows you what is plugged into which socket, which helps later when you reorganise power strips.

• TV, set-top box, audio equipment
• Desktop computer, monitor, printer
• Games console, router, network storage
• Displays on microwaves, rice cookers, water dispensers
• Chargers and power adapters left plugged in

Measuring shows you the priorities

A power meter that sits between the socket and the plug shows how much each device draws on standby. Devices of the same type can differ widely by model and age, so measuring often puts an unexpected device near the top. Switch the device off, wait a moment for the reading to settle, then note it alongside the reading when the device is on. Multiply by the hours spent on standby each day and you get a rough monthly energy figure; putting it into an electricity bill calculator makes it easier to grasp. Without a meter, the standby consumption printed in the manual or on the label is a reasonable guide.

What to unplug and what to leave

Unplugging everything is not the answer. Appliances that must run continuously, like fridges and freezers, boiler controllers, and safety devices such as smoke alarms and security systems, should stay connected. A set-top box may take a while to restart after losing power or lose scheduled recordings, and cutting the router affects every connected device in the house. For these, cut power only when there is a clear period of non-use, or turn on the power-saving option in settings. By contrast, finished chargers, occasionally used audio gear and devices in a spare room can be unplugged with almost no inconvenience.

Use individually switched power strips

If pulling plugs every time is a chore, a power strip with a switch on each socket helps. Group devices you use and switch off together, such as the TV setup or computer peripherals, on one strip and a single switch tidies them away. Plug anything that must stay on, like the router, into a separate socket so you do not switch it off by mistake. When choosing a strip, check its rated capacity, and plug high-draw appliances such as electric heaters and hair dryers directly into the wall rather than into a strip.

Settings that make a difference

Device settings affect standby draw too. TVs and games consoles often have a quick start or instant-on feature that shortens start-up but uses more power on standby. If you do not use the device often, simply turning this off helps. For computers, sleep is the default for short breaks and a full shutdown for longer periods. Check that monitors and printers are not set to wait too long before entering power-saving mode. Menu names vary by product, so it helps to have the manual to hand.

Common mistakes and safety

Trying to cut standby power can sometimes make things less safe. Daisy-chaining power strips can overload them and generate heat, and dust building up on a strip hidden behind furniture can combine with moisture and spark. Avoid pulling plugs with wet hands or by yanking the cable. If a plug or strip feels hot or shows scorch marks, stop using it at once and replace it.

• Never plug one power strip into another
• Wipe dust off strips behind furniture regularly
• Pull plugs by the body, not the cable
• Replace any strip that is hot or discoloured

A one-month plan

In week one, list the always-on devices. In week two, check their standby consumption with a meter or the label. In week three, decide what to unplug and what to leave, then group devices on switched strips or change their settings. In week four, compare usage on your next bill. For ways to cut the whole bill beyond standby power, see the electricity bill guide under the life tips topic.