Televisions, games consoles, routers, smart speakers, and chargers all draw some power when they are not in use. Individually it is small, but across a home it can add up to a noticeable part of the electricity bill.
Modern devices are much better than older ones, so the biggest offenders are often the oldest.
Common culprits
- Games consoles left in “instant-on” or rest mode
- Older TVs, set-top boxes, and sound systems
- Desktop computers and monitors left on standby
- Printers and old speakers with always-on power bricks
- Second fridges or freezers that are mostly empty
Measure it
A plug-in energy monitor shows exactly how many watts a device draws in standby. Multiply by the number of hours it spends idle and your electricity price to see what it costs over a year.
Easy fixes
Switch off at the wall when devices are not needed, or plug a group of devices into a power strip with a single switch. Smart plugs and timers can turn things off overnight automatically. Change console settings to an energy-saving mode.
What to leave on
Some devices are better left alone: fridges and freezers, boiler controls, alarms, and devices that need to receive updates. Routers use little power and switching them off often causes more inconvenience than it saves.
This is general sustainability information. Recycling, composting, and disposal rules vary by municipality — check local guidance. Cost and energy savings are estimates and depend on your home and usage.