Quick Answer
The average Australian household wastes $100–$170 per year powering appliances on standby — devices that appear “off” but keep drawing electricity. The biggest culprits are TVs, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, microwaves, and older monitors. Switching off devices at the power point (or using smart power strips) costs nothing and can save $80–$150 per year in Melbourne homes.
What Is Standby Power?
Standby power — also called idle power, phantom load, or vampire power — is the electricity drawn by appliances when they appear switched off but remain plugged in. These devices maintain a low-power state to respond to remote controls, display clocks, keep network connections alive, or charge internal batteries.
In Victoria, electricity costs $0.28–$0.42 per kWh. A device drawing just 5 watts for 24 hours uses 0.12 kWh — costing about 3.8 cents per day, or $14 per year. Multiply that across 15–25 devices in a typical household and the annual waste adds up fast.
Standby Power Cost by Appliance
| Appliance | Standby Draw | Annual Cost (at $0.32/kWh) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaming console (PS5/Xbox) | 1–13W | $3–$36/year | Instant-on mode draws most; use rest mode sparingly |
| Smart TV (standby) | 0.5–2.5W | $1.50–$7/year | Newer TVs improved; older LED TVs draw more |
| Set-top box / PVR | 10–25W | $28–$70/year | One of the worst offenders — always on, recording schedule |
| Desktop computer (sleep) | 2–10W | $6–$29/year | Hibernate uses less than sleep |
| Microwave oven | 2–5W | $6–$14/year | Clock display draws constant power |
| Printer (standby) | 2–8W | $6–$23/year | Switch off when not in use for days |
| Phone charger (plugged in, no phone) | 0.1–0.5W | $0.30–$1.50/year | Minor individually but adds up across 5–6 chargers |
| Smart speaker (always on) | 2–4W | $6–$11/year | Designed to be always on — this is intentional |
| Modem/router | 6–15W | $17–$42/year | Turn off overnight if no smart home devices active |
| Digital clock/display | 1–3W | $3–$8/year | Replace with battery clock if electricity is a concern |
How to Measure Your Own Standby Waste
The most accurate way to find your household’s standby power is to use a plug-in energy monitor (also called a power meter or watt meter). These devices plug between your appliance and the wall socket and display real-time wattage, daily kWh, and calculated cost. Available from Bunnings, Jaycar, and Total Tools for $30–$55.
Alternatively, take your electricity meter reading just before you go to bed, and again first thing in the morning before turning anything on. The difference is your household’s overnight standby consumption. Divide by the hours to get average standby watts. A well-managed home should be under 100W overnight; many households draw 150–300W.
How to Reduce Standby Power
Smart Power Strips
Smart power strips automatically cut power to peripheral devices (TV, speakers, DVD player, gaming console) when a “master” device (e.g. the TV) is switched off. They typically cost $40–$80 from Jaycar or online, and can eliminate 10–30W of continuous standby draw from an entertainment unit with no behaviour change required.
Timer-Controlled Power Points
For devices that don’t need to be always on (modem overnight, set-top box), a mechanical or smart timer ($15–$35 from Bunnings) cuts power during hours of non-use. A modem set to power off from midnight to 6am saves ~$12–$30 per year.
Switch Off at the Wall
The simplest and cheapest solution: switch devices off at the power point when not in use, especially when going on holidays. Turning off a set-top box, two TVs, a printer, and a desktop at the wall before a two-week holiday saves approximately $7–$15 in electricity — not enormous, but free.
Appliances You Should Leave on Standby
Not everything should be switched off. These devices have legitimate reasons to stay powered:
- Home alarm system — must remain powered to protect the house
- Smart home hub — controls automated lighting, locks, cameras
- Wi-Fi router/modem — if you have smart home devices, security cameras, or automated systems that need connectivity overnight
- Medical devices — CPAP machines, defibrillators, medical monitoring equipment
- Fridge and freezer — obviously never switch these off
- Smart speaker with security function — if it monitors for smoke alarms or intruder sounds
Tips and Gotchas
- Buy a plug-in energy monitor first before buying power strips — measure which devices actually waste power. Some modern devices have near-zero standby draw; don’t waste money on strips for appliances that barely draw anything.
- Gaming consoles in “instant-on” mode are the worst modern offenders — the PS5 in instant-on draws 1.5–13W depending on settings. Switch to “rest mode” (PS5) or “sleep” (Xbox) and disable background downloads to reduce this.
- Old LCD monitors left on a “sleep” screensaver still draw full power — enable monitor power management in Windows/macOS settings so the display actually turns off after 5–10 minutes of inactivity.
- Phone chargers use almost nothing when no phone is attached — don’t stress about leaving a charger in the socket; the standby draw is under 0.5W. Focus on bigger items: set-top boxes, consoles, and computers.
- Smart TVs in network standby draw more than older dumb TVs — they maintain a Wi-Fi connection to check for remote commands and software updates. Check your TV’s “Eco mode” or “network standby” setting and disable remote start if you don’t use it.
- If you go on holiday, switch off everything except the fridge and alarm — a two-week switch-off of non-essential devices saves $15–$30 in electricity and eliminates fire risk from devices with heat-generating standby circuits.
Local Melbourne Resources
- Jaycar Electronics — plug-in energy monitors ($30–$55) and smart power strips at SE Melbourne stores (Dandenong, Frankston, Moorabbin)
- Bunnings — mechanical and smart power point timers, surge-protected power boards with individual switches
- Energy Victoria — Home Energy Efficiency — free tips and rebate information for Victorian households
- For smart home automation to manage standby loads: Brilliant Smart, Arlec Grid Connect (Bunnings), and Kogan Smart Home ranges all work with Google Home and Amazon Alexa
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does standby power cost per year in Australia?
The average Australian household spends $100–$170 per year on standby power — electricity drawn by appliances that appear switched off. This represents approximately 5–10% of the average household electricity bill. The biggest culprits are set-top boxes, older gaming consoles, desktop computers left in sleep mode, and entertainment unit equipment.
Should I unplug appliances when not in use?
Yes, for most appliances — especially those with a continuous standby draw above 5W (set-top boxes, older computers, printers). For low-draw items like modern phone chargers (under 0.5W), the benefit is minimal. Focus your effort on the high-draw devices first: measure them with a plug-in energy monitor to find the actual culprits in your household.
Does a TV use electricity when turned off?
Yes — most modern TVs draw 0.5–2.5W in standby to respond to the remote control and maintain network connectivity. This costs roughly $1.50–$7 per year per TV. Older plasma TVs (now rare) drew significantly more. Switching the TV off at the power point when not in use eliminates this entirely.
What is a smart power strip and how does it work?
A smart power strip detects when a “master” device (such as a TV or PC) is switched off, and automatically cuts power to connected “peripheral” sockets (speakers, console, DVD player). This eliminates standby draw from the entire entertainment unit automatically. Smart power strips cost $40–$80 and typically pay for themselves in 6–12 months for a moderately sized entertainment unit.
How do I find out how much electricity my appliances use on standby?
Use a plug-in energy monitor (also called a watt meter or power meter) — available from Jaycar, Bunnings, or online for $30–$55. Plug the device between your appliance and the wall socket, then read the wattage display when the appliance is in standby mode. Multiply the watts by 24 hours to get daily watt-hours, divide by 1,000 for kWh, and multiply by your electricity rate to get the daily cost.
