As the cost-of-living crisis continues to strain household budgets, finding ways to cut down on expenses, especially utility bills, has become essential. One commonly overlooked source of unnecessary energy consumption is household appliances left on standby mode. While many devices draw some power when idle, certain ones are far worse offenders.
Standby mode means the device remains plugged into the mains and switched on, drawing electricity even when not actively used.
To uncover which appliances are most wasteful on standby, Express.co.uk consulted five energy experts. All five unanimously identified gaming consoles as the biggest energy drains in standby mode.
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Although not every home has one, gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox are a staple in many households, whether for avid gamers or children. When on standby, consoles function similarly to televisions by continuously drawing power to stay ready.
Micah Jackson-Sattler, owner and head electrician of Micah Electric Co., called game consoles “the worst energy-sucking devices” because they consume electricity even when idle, which accumulates to significant usage. Caleb Caviness, AryCo’s general manager, adds that gaming consoles commonly cause noticeable increases in electricity bills.
While standby mode allows consoles to start faster and install updates, it means they continue using power even when you think they’re off. Caviness explains: “These powerful machines require a lot of energy to function, which can easily raise your electricity bill over time.”
Megan Doser, owner of Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, points out that consoles stay partially active to support background tasks like cloud save synchronization and keep USB ports powered for charging controllers—resulting in continuous electricity consumption.
Martyn Fowler, founder of Elite Renewables, agrees, calling consoles “some of the worst devices for standby energy use.” He cautions that many users leave consoles in rest mode, unaware they’re still downloading updates and charging controllers. On average, these devices draw 10 to 15 watts in standby, potentially adding £30 annually to electricity bills. Fowler advises fully shutting down consoles through settings and switching off the plug to save energy.
Nick Barber, co-founder at Prepaid Electricity and Utilities Now, notes gaming consoles rank among the highest power consumers when idle. He recommends unplugging them or selecting a true off mode if the device won’t be used for an extended period.
By fully powering down gaming consoles instead of leaving them on standby, you can reduce your electricity usage and save money on energy bills.