Which appliances should be unplugged at night to save electricity?

Whether your concern is saving the environment, reducing your energy bill, or both, a simple habit like unplugging idle devices can result in significant energy savings.

Few people realize that many electronic devices still consume electricity even when not in use, a phenomenon known as standby power. Such products are often referred to as “energy suckers”.

Of course, not every device needs to be unplugged. The first priority should be devices that are rarely used, such as a battery charger that hasn’t been used in a while, a Blu-ray player that’s gathering dust in the corner, or a heated pet bed. For devices that are used frequently, consider plugging them in only when absolutely necessary, rather than leaving them on standby.

Unplugging one or two individual devices may only save a small amount of money, but when applied to multiple “power-hungry devices,” the savings add up and become significant.

Coffee maker

According to the U.S. Department of Energy's 2011 Building Energy Data Book, coffee makers are among the top energy consumers in standby mode, consuming an average of 70 watts per year.

The main reason is that seemingly small features such as LCD screens that display the time, pre-programmed timers for brewing in advance, or components that are always in a state of readiness to operate. This helps users get a cup of coffee faster, but at the same time also increases the electricity bill without many people realizing it.

The simple solution is to unplug it immediately after use, unless you need to keep your coffee warm. For the forgetful, a timer outlet can be a useful option, allowing you to set when the appliance will turn on and off automatically.

Notably, this problem is not limited to traditional drip coffee makers. Modern models also consume a significant amount of electricity. Their standby consumption varies widely, but models that keep the water hot and ready to serve tend to consume the most electricity.

Desktop

Whether it’s a minimalist computer used for office work or a high-end gaming PC, all consume electricity even when in standby mode. The habit of leaving the computer in “sleep” mode instead of turning it off makes this consumption even more noticeable. In particular, gaming PCs with power-hungry components like dedicated GPUs can cause power consumption to increase significantly compared to regular computers.

It is estimated that a desktop computer in standby mode can consume about $23 worth of electricity per year. When you add in a monitor and peripherals, that number can increase to about $30.

The most thorough way is to completely unplug the device when not in use, ensuring that it does not consume electricity in standby mode. However, this can be inconvenient for those who use the device every day for work.

Game console

Game consoles have long been considered one of the biggest power consumers when in standby mode. With the PlayStation 5, Rest Mode allows the console to automatically update software, charge controllers, and pick up right where you left off.

This is a convenient feature that makes the experience more seamless, but at the same time, it consumes between 3.8 and 4.2 watts of power depending on the version of the device. Users can reduce this consumption by customizing the settings, such as turning off the power supply to the USB port when not needed to charge.

The previous generation, the PlayStation 4, also had a low-power “Idle” mode, but it could still draw up to 7.8 watts. If the PlayStation 5 were to be turned off completely, power consumption would be significantly reduced because it wouldn’t have to stay connected to the internet to check for updates, but it would still draw around 0.2 watts. Other modern consoles, like the Nintendo Switch 2, operate on a similar principle, keeping games ready at the expense of power consumption in idle mode.

Of course, it’s understandable to leave the console idle when you’re in the middle of a game and can’t save. But if you’ve already saved your game, unplugging it is a smart move for those looking to save money. After all, a PlayStation 5 is already an expensive investment; saving a few kilowatt hours a year is a reasonable way to cut your electricity bill.

Wi-Fi Router

The Internet has become such a vital part of modern life that most people leave their modems and Wi-Fi routers running 24/7. Few people realize that these tiny devices consume as much power as a 32-inch TV.

New generations of routers, from Wi-Fi 6E to Wi-Fi 7, offer more bandwidth, higher speeds, and more reliable coverage, but they also consume more power. Likewise, mesh Wi-Fi systems, which rely on multiple satellites placed throughout the home, also contribute to increased energy consumption.

The use of these devices is completely justified, especially in smart homes with light bulbs, security cameras or IoT sensors that need to maintain constant connectivity.

However, if there is no need to access the Internet at night, users can consider turning off or unplugging the router to save electricity costs. A small action but accumulated over time will bring a significant difference./.