Save up to €80 a Year: Unplug These 7 Devices to Cut Your Bill Fast
In a world where every euro counts—and let’s face it, the planet could use a little love too—cutting back on our energy consumption has become more than just a good idea. It’s a necessity, both economically and ecologically. Professionals in the sector estimate that up to 10% of our electricity bills can be chalked up to that sneaky culprit: standby mode. Yes, those little red LEDs aren’t just winking at you—they’re nibbling away at your wallet all year long.
A Sea of Standby: How Much Are Those Idle Devices Costing You?
In France, households typically have between 15 and 50 electric or electronic devices in standby. Even when these gadgets appear to be innocently “off,” standby mode means they keep a little transformer running, converting current and drawing power around the clock. Despite a European directive since 2017 aiming to cap standby consumption (max 0.5 W, or 3 W for connected devices), it isn’t enough. The residual consumption in an average household can top 50 watts—meaning at least €80 a year extra on your electricity bill. That’s not pocket change, especially when prices have jumped massively—electricity in France rose by 71.26% between 2013 and 2023, with a single year (2023) seeing a whopping 26.5% hike.
Should You Really Unplug Everything? (Spoiler: It’s Not That Simple)
The good news: you can cut some of that cost just by unplugging a handful of devices each day. But—and there is always a “but”—you’ll want to avoid unplugging everything willy-nilly. Some appliances like washing machines and dishwashers need their standby function for safety and longevity; so don’t rush to yank those plugs. Others, however, can go dark without drama.
Unfortunately, not all devices are made equal, and neither is their energy drain. Real-world measurements show surprising results:
- Induction hob and oven combined: €108 annually (49W standby)
- Low-speed ventilation system: €101
- Older TV (Samsung, 15+ years): €37
- Washing machine + dishwasher: €35
- Older TV boxes (Freebox HD): €37
- Newer TV boxes (Freebox Mini 4K): €33
- Remote amp: €31
Meanwhile, devices like unplugged toasters and kettles? They don’t even have standby modes, so they cost nothing when not in use. For laptops charging on mains, it’s around €10 per year, and the cost for smart light systems varies but is often less than €22 a year.
But beware the trap of generalization: what drains energy in one home might barely register in another. In some cases, one fridge-freezer combo can use triple the power of an almost identical model in a similar setting.
Busting the Myths, and a Few Realities
Let’s lay out some realities before we all start crawling around unplugging every socket in sight. Devices switched off (not just on standby) don’t consume energy. It’s also worth noting that frequent switching on and off can reduce the lifespan of electronics. The energy your standby devices use becomes heat, which (in the heating season) may help, ever so slightly, to warm a room—but the effect is minimal, and the opposite happens if you’re running air conditioning.
A simple calculation to keep in mind: a device that consumes 1W year-round costs around €2.2 a year—10W will be €22. So, is it worth unplugging everything? Maybe not. It’s better to focus on the worst offenders in your home. The problem: most products don’t easily tell you their standby consumption, so you often have to dig for the details or measure yourself.
- Prioritize unplugging or managing devices with high standby losses
- Use programmable switches where possible
- Favor purchases with energy labels (Energy Star and similar)
- Shift high-consumption activities to off-peak hours
- Reduce heating by just one degree for savings
Final Thoughts: Small Gestures, Big Picture
While unplugging devices can help, the most significant reductions come from a combination of smart daily “eco-gestures”—using energy-hungry machines during off-peak hours, lowering the thermostat, and choosing efficient appliances. But don’t get too caught up in minute savings: often, the biggest offenders are the ones you least expect, while devices like toasters or kettles almost don’t register at all.
As electricity prices rise and living costs keep soaring, every bit helps—but don’t let anxiety take over your living room. Go for targeted, informed actions, and never forget: sometimes, a little knowledge saves a lot more than just cents.
