Smart Home Energy Monitoring: Track and Reduce Standby Power

Posted on 18th June 2023

What is standby power?

Standby power, also known as phantom power, refers to the electricity used by home electronics and appliances when they are turned off or in standby mode. Even when they’re not in use, these devices still consume a small amount of power, which can add up over time and increase your energy bills.

How much standby power do home electronics use?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, standby power accounts for 5%–10% of the average home’s electricity use. This may not seem like much, but it can add up to $100 or more per year.

How can I reduce standby power in my home?

There are a few simple ways to reduce standby power in your home:

• Unplug electronics and appliances when they’re not in use. This is the most effective way to reduce standby power.
• Use a power strip for electronics and appliances that are used together. This way, you can easily turn off multiple devices with one switch.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when buying new electronics and appliances. ENERGY STAR® products are designed to use less energy, which can save you money on your energy bills.

What are the benefits of monitoring standby power?

Monitoring your standby power usage can help you save money on your energy bills and reduce your home’s carbon footprint. There are a few different ways to monitor standby power:

• Smart plugs: Smart plugs are devices that you can plug into an outlet to track the energy use of the devices that are plugged into them. Some smart plugs also allow you to remotely turn off devices that are plugged into them.
• Home energy monitors: Home energy monitors are devices that you can plug into an outlet to track the energy use of your entire home. Some home energy monitors also allow you to see how much energy your home is using in real-time.
• Energy-saving tips: There are a few simple things you can do to reduce standby power in your home. Check out our energy-saving tips for more information.

Conclusion

Standby power is the electricity used by home electronics and appliances when they’re turned off or in standby mode. Even when they’re not in use, these devices still consume a small amount of power, which can add up over time and increase your energy bills. You can reduce standby power in your home by unplugging electronics and appliances when they’re not in use, using a power strip for devices that are used together, and looking for the ENERGY STAR® label when buying new electronics and appliances. Monitoring your standby power usage can help you save money on your energy bills and reduce your home’s carbon footprint. There are a few different ways to monitor standby power, including smart plugs, home energy monitors, and energy-saving tips.

Standby power is the power used by devices when they are turned off but still plugged in. This can happen when we leave our devices on standby mode or when they are charging. Standby power can account for up to 10% of our total energy use, so it’s important to be aware of it and take steps to reduce it.

How to Monitor Standby Power

If you want to track your standby power usage, you can do so with a smart home energy monitor. A smart home energy monitor is a device that you can plug into your electrical outlet that will track your energy usage. Some smart home energy monitors will also allow you to control your devices remotely, so you can turn them off or on as needed. There are a number of different smart home energy monitors on the market, so you’ll want to do some research to find the one that’s right for you.

How to Reduce Standby Power

There are a few different ways that you can reduce your standby power usage. One way is to unplug devices when you’re not using them. This can be a hassle, so you may want to consider using a power strip so you can easily turn off all of your devices with one switch. Another way to reduce standby power is to use power-saving features on your devices. For example, many devices have a “sleep” mode that will reduce their power usage when you’re not using them. You can also find energy-saving settings on some devices, such as your computer or television.

Standby Power Tips

• Unplug devices when you’re not using them.

• Use power-saving features on your devices.

• Consider using a smart home energy monitor.

The first step to reducing standby power is to find out where it’s being used. Many devices, such as computers, televisions, and home entertainment systems, have a “sleep” or “standby” mode that uses a small amount of power to keep them ready to turn on quickly. While this can be convenient, it can also add up to a significant amount of power waste if several devices are left in standby mode.

To find out how much standby power your devices are using, you can use a power meter. A power meter is a small device that plugs into an outlet and measures the amount of electricity being used. Many power meters will also show you how much power is being used by each individual device that’s plugged into it.

Once you know where your standby power is going, you can start to take steps to reduce it. One simple way to reduce standby power is to unplug devices when they’re not in use. This can be a bit inconvenient, so you may want to consider using a power strip with an on/off switch. That way, you can easily switch off multiple devices with one flick of the switch.

Another way to reduce standby power is to use power-saving features on your devices. Many devices now have energy-saving features that can significantly reduce the amount of power they use. For example, many computers have a power-saving mode that can be activated when the computer is not in use. Check your device’s manual or online documentation to see if it has any power-saving features.

Finally, you can also reduce standby power by replacing older, power-hungry devices with newer, more efficient models. As technology improves, newer devices use less power than older ones. So, if your computer is more than a few years old, it’s probably time for an upgrade. The same goes for other devices like televisions and home entertainment systems.

By taking some simple steps to reduce standby power, you can save money on your energy bill and help the environment.