Owners of homes, apartments and businesses all ask themselves the same question: does an appliance that is plugged in but turned off still consume electricity? It’s a valid question. After all, if you’re looking to cut costs on your energy bill or just want to save energy where possible, it would make sense to turn off any rig that isn’t currently needed.
So what’s the truth about leaving appliances plugged in – are they still consuming power even when not in use? The answer is surprisingly more complex than most of us realize. Read on to examine the dynamics behind keeping devices running without being turned on, and decide if it makes financial sense for you or your business to unplug certain platforms after each use.
Electrical appliances consume energy when they are on standby: truth or myth?
We often forget that any device that is plugged in and turned off consumes electricity. The French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) has revealed the staggering amount of energy wasted each year due to appliances left on standby. This waste amounts to 300-500 kWh per year, which is equivalent to 11% of an average household’s electricity bill. This means that a typical family can expect to waste around €85 per year as part of their energy bill due to energy not used for their comfort. What is even more alarming is that this wasted energy production is equal to that of two nuclear reactors each year!
There are many ways to save energy and reduce our bills: doing laundry efficiently, cooking without electricity when possible, using a heat recovery unit, etc. But it’s equally important to be aware of turning devices off completely when not in use – leaving a device plugged into a wall outlet uses electricity whether it’s on or off. This includes all chargers, whether connected to a single device or multiple types of devices at once; all of them consume a certain amount of energy when in standby. If we all take such simple steps, we can collectively help conserve energy and reduce waste over time.
What about lamps?
It is often mistakenly believed that if a lamp is not lit, it does not consume electricity. This is false, however, because electricity is needed to power anything that is plugged into an outlet. So even though the light from the lamp is not on and not illuminating its surroundings, the bulb itself draws some energy from the socket each time it is plugged in. In addition to keeping the filament of a standard incandescent bulb warm and ready to light, this electricity consumption powers many other small essential components in lamps, ranging from relay switches and capacitors to dimmers and to timers.
The 3 eco-responsible and practical ways to easily save your energy.
Buy a power strip with switch!
Did you know that 90% of French households leave at least one standby electrical load plugged in? By investing in a power strip with a switch, you can easily control the power to your devices and save energy. This is especially useful for electronic devices such as televisions, computers, microwaves, and other gadgets that are regularly left plugged in. You can even buy a timer power strip so you can program specific times to turn off appliances that don’t need to be running all the time. By turning off these electrical loads when not in use, you will reduce your electricity bills and create an eco-friendly home.
Invest in a smart standby outlet.
If you want to save energy and money, try installing a smart standby power outlet for your plugged-in devices. This modern technology detects a device in sleep mode and automatically shuts off its power, reducing potential wasted electricity. Not only does this smart device help you keep your bills to a minimum, but it also keeps the device in good condition as it is not always left plugged in unnecessarily. What’s even better is that they’re relatively easy to install and allow the device to be turned off when not in use.
Reduce over-equipment.
Investing in high-efficiency appliances can help reduce your electricity consumption. However, it is not only about buying the right item, but also about limiting over-equipment. Having too many electrical appliances leads to unnecessary electricity consumption and increased energy bills. To reduce your consumption, ask yourself if you really need new appliances and, if so, what benefits you will get from them. Consider alternative solutions before investing in an electrical device. All in all, thoughtful and careful shopping can go a long way in reducing electricity consumption and improving efficiency.
