Standby Power FAQ

What is ‘standby power’?
Standby power is electricity that is used when electrical appliances are not being actively used but are consuming electricity in standby mode. Or, it can be explained as the energy consumed by an appliance while it is not performing its primary function.

For example, many people leave their computer on when they are not actually using it.  A low level of power is still running through that computer and often also through the monitor, printer, scanner, modem and other attachments whilst it is not in actual use.

Do all appliances use standby power?
No, but many do.  Since the mid 1990's many appliances have been developed with design features that utilise low levels of power consumption in standby mode. Some appliances have a total off button but the rest go into standby mode, usually indicated by a tiny light or time display, that remains on.  It is not just this tiny light that consumes power but some of the electronics within the unit itself.

Which appliances use the most standby power?
Significant contributors to standby power include televisions, as there are generally two in most homes, set top boxes and other home entertainment equipment, computers and peripherals, telephones and other office equipment and monitoring appliances.

When you turn on a TV - you may also have on standby the set top box, DVD, video equipment, hard disk drive, and other equipment.  A 2005 survey found that home entertainment systems on average contribute 19.6 Watts in standby per house*. In a year this equates to about 170 units of electricity (@$24) and about @ 160 kg of greenhouse gases.  This is if the appliances are not used - obviously this goes up considerably when they are.

Tests reveal that some TV's not turned off at the wall can consume between 11.7 and 100 Watts for different models. For the worst TV this is like leaving an incandescent light on all day and night  This could amount to an increased annual electricity bill of @ $121 and @ 820 kg of greenhouse gases - for an appliance that is not even being used. 

For a list of the typical standby power amounts used by different appliances see the Appliance Standby Guide.

 
How can we save energy, money and greenhouse gas emissions? 
The simple solution is to turn appliances off at the wall when you have finished using them.  And, when purchasing new appliances, choose ones that have a permanent off switch or low wattage standby.  Government regulators are aiming for a 1 Watt standby limit for new appliances in the future*.

Are there any appliances that I should not turn off?
Yes.  We do not recommend that you turn off continuous monitoring systems such as security systems and smoke alarms, time controlled equipment like reticulation systems, or appliances that you use regularly that have a clock or a timer such as video recording equipment that is set to record your favourite TV programs, etc.,

What are the advantages of turning power off at the wall?
First, you will use less power, which means that you will reduce greenhouse gas emissions!  Second, by using less power you will save money. Also by switching the power off at the wall, there is no electricity active in the appliance which means it can be safer for young children who may play with appliances when you are not watching. 

How much can I save by switching my appliances off at the wall?
That depends on the appliances themselves. The amount of standby power used by different appliances varies greatly. However, in a typical Australian home, the cumulative consumption of standby power amounts to approximately 10% of a typical residential customer's electricity bill, which means you have the potential to save up to 10% off your electricity bill if you switched off all standby power.

*Information and data on standby power has been sourced for an independent viewpoint from the Australian Greenhouse Office.