In these times of rising energy costs, many people are looking for ways to reduce their electricity bills. One commonly suggested tip is to turn appliances off at the wall rather than leaving them in standby mode. But does this actually save a significant amount of money? There are some pros and cons to consider.
The theory behind turning appliances off at the wall
Most appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when switched off but still plugged in. This is known as “standby power”, “phantom load”, or “vampire power”. Some examples of appliances that use standby power include:
- TVs and set-top boxes
- Computers and monitors
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Coffee machines
- Microwaves
- Washing machines
This constant trickle of power is wasted if the appliance is not in use. It has been estimated that up to 10% of household energy use is due to standby power alone.
The theory behind turning appliances off at the wall is that it stops them drawing this standby power, saving electricity and money. Simply switching an appliance off with its remote control or built-in switch is not enough – it needs to be unplugged or switched off via a wall socket.
How much energy do appliances use in standby?
The amount of standby power used can vary significantly between different appliances. According to Energy Star, an initiative of the US Environmental Protection Agency, these are some typical standby power usages:
- Computer and monitor – up to 20 watts
- TV and DVD player – 20 to 60 watts
- Stereo – 15 watts
- Coffee maker – 3 to 5 watts
- Microwave oven – up to 10 watts
New regulations have forced manufacturers to reduce standby power loads in recent years. However, many older appliances may still consume quite a lot of energy in standby mode.
Does turning appliances off at the wall actually save money?
Whether turning appliances off at the wall will yield worthwhile savings depends on:
- How much standby power the appliance uses
- Your electricity tariff – i.e. how much you pay per kilowatt hour (kWh)
- How many hours per day the appliance spends in standby mode
Here is an example calculation:
* An old LCD TV uses 60 watts on standby
* It’s left on standby for 8 hours per day
* Your electricity rate is 20c per kWh
* Therefore, over 1 year it uses:
* 60 watts x 8 hours x 365 days = 175,200 watt hours
* 175.2 kWh x 20c per kWh = $35
So in this case, turning the TV off at the wall would save around $35 per year.
However, if you had a newer TV that only used 10 watts on standby, the saving would be roughly $6 per year.
Additional benefits of switching appliances off
As well as saving energy directly, turning appliances off at the wall has some other benefits:
- Saves wear and tear on the appliance – being constantly left in standby shortens lifespan
- Avoids risk of standby faults and fires
- Reduces your environmental footprint
Products left plugged in are at a small risk of short circuit and overheating, even in standby. So switching off completely eliminates this, which could prevent a fire in rare cases.
It also prevents devices drawing full current in the event of a standby fault. If the low power mode fails, some devices can revert to a high power state which in extreme cases can overload the circuit.
And reducing phantom load is a simple way to reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact. Based on average electricity emissions, each kilowatt hour of standby power is responsible for around 0.9kg of CO2 emissions.
Should you turn everything off?
With some appliances, like TVs and set-top boxes, it makes sense to turn them off at the wall when not in use. The standby power consumption is often quite high, and it only takes a few seconds to turn them back on.
However with other electronics, like routers and modems, it is generally recommended to leave them plugged in. They use very little standby power, and turning them off can disrupt internet connectivity and settings.
The following table summarises some general advice about what to turn off and what to leave on:
| Appliance | Turn off at wall? |
|---|---|
| TV and set-top box | Yes |
| Stereo and speakers | Yes |
| Computer and monitor | Yes |
| Ceiling fan | Yes (if not remote controlled) |
| Microwave | Yes |
| Kitchen appliances e.g. coffee machine | Yes |
| Modem and router | No |
| Printer | No (unless away for extended time) |
| Laptop and phone chargers | No (unplug when not charging devices) |
You may wish to keep essential electronics like fridges, freezers, and alarm systems plugged in. But consider switching off any secondary fridges that aren’t required 24/7.
Other ways to reduce standby power
As well as manually switching appliances off, there are some gadgets that can help minimise standby power:
* __Smart power strips__ – These cut power to peripheral devices like printers and speakers when a main device like a computer is switched off
* __Timers__ – Can be used to turn off devices overnight or on a schedule
* __Remote controlled sockets__ – Enable you to turn devices on and off remotely without unplugging
* __Energy monitoring devices__ – Provide detailed insights into electricity usage to identify standby loads
Buying appliances with low standby power consumption is also recommended. New TVs and set-top boxes now use less than 1 watt on standby, compared to over 20W for older models.
What do electricity companies advise?
Various electricity providers recommend turning appliances off standby as one of the main ways customers can save power at home. For example:
* __Origin Energy__ suggests turning off unused appliances at the wall to avoid phantom power loads. They estimate this can save the average household $100 per year.
* __EnergyAustralia__ advises switching off and unplugging any appliances not being used regularly. They recommend using a standby power controller or timer to automate the process.
* __AGL__ provides online tools to help consumers estimate how much they spend on standby power. They advise using standby modes judiciously and switching devices off with a wall socket switch or power board.
Conclusion
Turning off appliances at the wall can lead to worthwhile energy and cost savings in many circumstances. The amount saved depends on an appliance’s standby rating and usage patterns. But with electricity prices rising, it is one of the most effective ways to reduce home energy bills.
Savings are greatest for appliances with high standby loads that are often left on for many hours a day without being used. Newer appliances have lower standby usage, reducing potential savings, but turning them off remains worthwhile. Leaving older, inefficient models on standby will waste considerable amounts of energy.
Switching appliances off with a remote control or built-in button is not enough – they need to be manually unplugged or turned off at the wall socket to eliminate standby power. Smart gadgets like remote controlled sockets and timers can make this process more convenient.
With the right habits, minor effort spent regularly turning off appliances at the wall can pay dividends on your electricity bill. Combine this with buying energy efficient models, and you can effectively minimise the costs of phantom power.