Standby Mode and the Electric Bill: The Invisible Consumption
Did you know that many of your household appliances and electronic devices continue to consume electricity even when they’re turned off? This phenomenon is known as standby mode or “phantom load”, and although it may seem insignificant, it represents a constant expense that affects your electric bill month after month.
What Is Standby Mode?
Standby mode is the state in which a device remains partially on so it can quickly respond to a remote control, retain settings, or display an indicator light. Even though the device isn’t actively being used, it’s still plugged in and drawing power.
Common examples of devices in standby mode include:
- Televisions
- Sound systems
- Microwaves
- Computers
- Unused chargers left plugged in
- Video game consoles
How Much Is Really Being Consumed?
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), phantom load can account for 5% to 10% of total electricity use in an average household. In local terms, Panama’s National Energy Secretariat has estimated that this type of consumption can lead to an additional expense of $5 to $10 per month per household, which amounts to up to $120 per year, depending on the number of devices and how long they remain plugged in.
A single TV in standby mode can consume between 3 and 10 watts per hour. If you consider 10 devices connected all day, the cost adds up quickly — without the user even realizing it.
Impact on the Electric Bill
Even though the consumption per device is small, the combined load of unused connected devices has a real impact. This constant consumption:
- Unnecessarily increases the monthly electric bill.
- Contributes to the wear and tear of electronic equipment.
- Leads to a larger environmental footprint due to unnecessary energy use.
How to Avoid Phantom Load?
Unplugging appliances completely when not in use or using power strips with switches to cut off multiple devices at once are simple and effective solutions. There are also smart plugs that allow you to schedule on/off times.