Reducing the energy consumption of appliances in standby mode is one of the simplest and most effective strategies to save on electricity bills. This is why it is important to know which appliances consume the most energy on standby and what good habits to follow to limit energy waste.
Standby mode refers to the state in which a device, even if not in use, remains connected to the mains power. Standby mode allows appliances to be ready for immediate use, receive signals from remote controls or networks, and keep displays and LEDs lit.
Unlike the shutdown phase, when the device is completely disconnected from the power supply and power consumption is zero, in standby mode the device continues to consume energy, even without performing its main function. This phenomenon is also called 'phantom consumption' because energy is consumed without the user being aware of it and this results in an additional charge on the power bill.
Learning how to consciously manage standby devices therefore starts with knowing their impact on consumption and bills.
Although the consumption of a single appliance in standby mode may seem insignificant on the surface, multiplied by an entire year and added to that of all other household devices it becomes substantial. An appliance left on standby continues to consume energy, leading to an increase in electricity consumption of between 5% and 10%. To give a concrete example, a TV set that is only switched on for three hours a day but left in standby mode for the rest of the day consumes about 40 per cent of the energy needed for its operation. But how can we quantify the energy consumption of a household appliance in kWh?
To calculate the energy consumption in kWh, the maximum power (in Watts) of the device, indicated on the product's energy label, must be multiplied by the number of hours the device is used. Remember that on the bill, consumption is expressed in kWh (1 kWh = 1000 W). Thus, if an appliance with a maximum output of 100W (0.1 kWh) is operated for 5 hours a day, its estimated daily energy consumption will be 0.5 kWh (0.1 kWh x 5h).
There are also tools that support the calculation of electricity consumption in the home. It may be useful, for example, to buy a low-cost wattmeter that can monitor the energy consumption of devices, allowing you to identify the devices that consume the most energy. Also valuable tools are smart sockets that allow consumption to be monitored through displays that collect real-time data on the amount of energy consumed by connected appliances.
To reduce the energy consumption of appliances on standby, however, it is important to know which devices consume the most energy.
Among the most energy-hungry appliances are certainly air conditioners and microwave ovens, but the energy expenditure caused by smaller devices, such as mobile phone chargers or computers, should not be underestimated. Game consoles, for example, if not configured correctly with the energy-saving setting, can consume as much power in standby mode as if they were switched on. TVs also consume a lot of power in standby mode: in particular, large models consume almost three times as much power as a conventional TV.
Older appliances, often without the energy-saving mode, generally consume more energy on standby than newer models, so it is recommended to replace them with energy-efficient appliances.
A good habit to reduce the energy consumption of appliances in standby mode is to switch them off completely by unplugging them or interrupting the power supply. Multi-socket outlets with a switch are a practical solution: by switching one switch on or off, all connected devices will be switched off, resulting in the desired savings.
Smart sockets are the latest frontier in home automation. They can be controlled remotely via an app installed on your mobile phone and allow the switching on and off of appliances to be controlled and programmed, while consumption can be monitored in real time. In general, a home automation system in addition to making a home smarter and more efficient, allows all electronic devices that remain on standby after use to be automatically switched off, thus reducing energy consumption.
Today it is possible to install a small photovoltaic system even in small spaces, such as balconies or windowsills. The photovoltaic system Enel Sun Plug & Play is designed specifically for flat dwellers. It is an easy-to-install compact panel that connects to a dedicated power outlet and starts producing energy, covering basic household consumption, such as standby appliances. It is an easy way to reduce waste and lower your bill without changing your habits and without sacrificing home comfort.
Switching off modems, routers and PCs at night or during periods of prolonged inactivity also helps to reduce energy consumption in the home. As far as TVs and consoles are concerned, it is important to check whether the devices have an energy-saving mode and if so, to activate it. These should also be switched off when not in use, especially if they are not expected to be used for many hours a day.
In order to save money in the long run, consumer education is essential. Among the practices to follow, it can be effective to choose appliance models with standby consumption below 1 W. The European Commission's Regulation 2023/826, in force since 9 May 2025, has set a ceiling for standby and off-mode energy consumption of electrical appliances. These new standards promote more energy-efficient products through low-power energy supplies and advanced energy management systems.
It is then essential to check the label indicating the energy class, a document that indicates the characteristics and energy consumption of each appliance model on sale. The energy label allows the energy consumption of each appliance to be evaluated, helping the consumer to choose the one that consumes the least energy during use.
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The Formidabile Luce offer includes a discount on the list price of the energy component for customers switching from the Servizio di Maggior Tutela.
Locked for the first 12 months
Commercialization and Sales Fee
12 €/kWh
