How Much Does Standby Power Really Cost You?
Standby typically adds 3-8% to a household electricity bill. Which devices dominate it, and the five worth switching off.
Short answer: Standby usually accounts for 3-8% of a household electricity bill. A modern TV or phone charger costs very little; the real drains are set-top boxes, games consoles left in instant-on mode, desktop PCs, old hi-fi amplifiers and second fridges. Switching off the worst five is worth far more than unplugging every charger in the house.
Typical standby draw
| Device | Standby draw | Cost per year (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Set-top / DVR box | 10-20 W | £20-45 / €25-50 |
| Games console, instant-on | 10-15 W | £20-35 / €25-40 |
| Desktop PC, sleep | 3-8 W | £6-18 / €8-20 |
| Modern TV | 0.5 W | Around £1 / €1 |
| Phone charger, no phone | Under 0.1 W | Negligible |
Figures assume typical European domestic electricity prices; use your own unit rate for an exact number. The pattern holds regardless: a handful of always-warm boxes dwarf everything else.
What to actually do
- Turn off instant-on / quick-start modes on consoles and TVs — boot time increases by seconds, not minutes.
- Put the entertainment stack on one switched strip and use it.
- Set desktop machines to sleep after 15 minutes and hibernate overnight.
- Retire second fridges and freezers kept for occasional use; they are often the biggest single item.
- Borrow or buy a plug-in power meter to find your own outliers rather than guessing.
Want to go further? Read our guide on How to Fix One Cold Room in an Otherwise Warm House or browse everything in Home.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I unplug chargers?
- It makes almost no difference to the bill. Do it for peace of mind, not savings.
- Does a smart plug save money?
- Only if it switches something genuinely wasteful off. The plug itself draws about 1 W continuously.
Sources & references
About the author
Daniel Okoye
Technology Writer
Daniel tests consumer hardware and software and explains what actually changes for everyday users, without the marketing language.
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