Is it really costing you?

We’ve all heard the advice: “Turn everything off at the wall!” But let’s be honest, how many of us actually go around unplugging the TV, the kettle, the phone charger, or the Wi-Fi router every night?

So… is leaving things on standby really that bad? Or is it just an outdated energy-saving myth?

Let’s break it down.

What Does “Standby” Mean?

Standby mode is when an appliance isn’t fully off, but it’s not in use either. Think of your TV waiting for you to press the remote, or your microwave with its little digital clock always glowing. It’s technically “on,” just not doing anything useful.

Standby allows devices to power up quickly or perform background tasks. But to do that, they’re constantly drawing a small amount of electricity, even when you’re not using them.

The Real Cost of Standby Mode

Here’s the part that gets people arguing. The power drain from one device on standby is tiny, usually between 0.5 to 3 watts. But the issue is cumulative.

Let’s say you’ve got:

  • 1 TV
  • 1 Sky or Virgin box
  • 2 game consoles
  • 1 smart speaker
  • 2 phone chargers left plugged in
  • 1 microwave
  • 1 desktop PC with monitor

If each one uses just 1 watt on standby, you’re burning around 8 watts every hour, which is 70 kilowatt-hours (kWh) over the course of a year. That’s roughly £20–£30 annually, depending on your energy rate.

Now, that doesn’t sound huge, but multiply that across millions of UK homes, and it adds up to billions of wasted kilowatt-hours.

The Worst Offenders

Some appliances are sneakier than others when it comes to standby consumption. Here are a few worth keeping an eye on:

  • Set-top boxes (especially older ones) – Can use up to 15W on standby.
  • Game consoles – In rest mode, newer consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X can draw 10–15W.
  • Desktop computers and monitors – Even “sleep mode” can use a few watts.
  • Microwaves with clocks – That glowing time display? You’re paying for it.
  • Printers and Wi-Fi routers – Always-on by design, but not always necessary.

So… Should You Unplug Everything?

Not necessarily. It’s about picking your battles.

Here’s a practical approach:

  • Switch off big-ticket items like TVs, game consoles, and set-top boxes at the wall when not in use.
  • Unplug chargers when they’re not actually charging anything.
  • Use smart plugs or timer sockets to automate switches off overnight.
  • Group items (like your TV, speaker, and console) on one power strip, easy to turn off with a single switch.
  • Leave essential devices like your fridge, freezer, and router alone.

What About Smart Appliances?

Here’s the catch with modern “smart” tech, standby mode isn’t just about waiting anymore.

Smart speakers, thermostats, and security cameras often need to stay on to work properly. They’re always “listening” for voice commands, monitoring settings, or keeping your home secure.

In many cases, turning these off defeats the whole point of having them. So while they do use energy on standby, the convenience and functionality they provide may be worth the trade-off.

Bottom Line: Is Standby Mode Wasting Your Money?

On average, standby mode might cost the typical UK household £30-£60 per year. It’s not pocket change, especially when energy prices are high.

If you are worried about energy bills and would like to find out if you qualify for free government funded home upgrades, aimed at increasing the energy performance of your property and reducing your energy bills, go to our eligibility checker for ECO4 and GBIS funding.