Intelligently managing devices on standby

Standby management is a simple but effective way of reducing your electricity consumption. Many devices still consume energy when in standby mode or switched off, which can have a significant impact on your electricity bills. Find out how to better manage your standby devices and make substantial savings.

Why do devices on standby consume energy?

Many modern appliances, such as computers, televisions and audio equipment, are equipped with electrical transformers. Even when switched off, these transformers continue to consume energy. This phenomenon is known as "false shutdown", and it often turns out that switching them off is not enough to completely cut off the power supply. For example, some televisions and computers still consume 5 to 10 watts when on standby.

What savings can be made?

It's been estimated that turning off your appliances completely can save up to 15% of your annual electricity bill (excluding heating and hot water). While this may seem small, the cumulative savings on all your standby appliances can make a noticeable difference to your bill.

3 Solutions to better manage your standby devices

Disconnect devices manually

The simplest but most effective action is to unplug appliances or cut the power supply to the power strip. This prevents transformers from continuing to consume energy unnecessarily.

However, this can be a hassle, especially if you have a lot of appliances to unplug, or if power strips are difficult to access.

Use power strips with switches

A simple and inexpensive solution is to invest in power strips with switches. These allow you to cut off the power supply to all connected devices, including transformers, with a simple gesture.

You no longer have to unplug each appliance one by one, which simplifies the management of your energy consumption.

Opt for smart plugs

If manual management of standby devices seems too much of a hassle, you can opt for smart plugs known as "standby cut-outs". These more expensive sockets detect when a device is on standby and automatically cut the power supply. This means you can automatically manage device consumption without manual intervention.

These solutions are ideal for households where the day-to-day management of appliances is more complicated.

Conclusion

Intelligently managing your standby devices is a simple and effective way to save energy. By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce your electricity consumption, while helping to protect the environment.