With the rise of devices like smart TVs and smart speakers, the number of appliances in Australian homes that are ‘always on’ is increasing by the minute.Ìý

But what impact does all this connectedness have on your electricity bill? 

We take a look at whether it’s worth flicking off all those switches as you dash out the door.Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog verdict

The short answer: Yes, it’s a good idea to switch off appliances at the wall when they’re not in use and when you go on holiday.Ìý

It’s not going to make you rich, but it will save you money – and it’s better for the environment.Ìý

It’s also wise to keep an eye on how many devices you keep plugged in at any one time, so you can be on top of any changes to your electricity bills.

It all adds up

Appliances still use power when they’re on standby. So keeping your Google Home or Alexa permanently switched on just in case you need to ask: “Hey, what’s the weather like today?” could be adding dollars to your bill.Ìý

We’re not talking big bucks, but standby power can account for more than 10% of your household electricity use.

And that’s cash that could be in your bank account, rather than lining the pockets of the energy providers.Ìý

There’s also a potential bigger cost: the standby energy used across Australia collectively amounts to tonnes of extra greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere.

Learn more about the true cost of leaving appliances on standby.Ìý

The good news? Appliances are becoming more energy-efficient

We may be using more appliances than ever, but some of them are getting more efficient.Ìý

According to the Department of the Energy, household appliances in Australia account for about 30% of the energy we use in our home, and almost half of all household greenhouse gas emissions.

But over the last decade, as retailers have created more energy-efficient products and Australians have become more aware of energy rating labels, the amount of household electricity we use has dropped.

The smart home

ÌÇÐÄVlog TV expert Denis Gallagher says it’s good practice to tally up just how many appliances you have running all the time – especially in the age of internet-connected devices.Ìý

“In 2018, the average Australian home had 15–17 internet-connected devices, and this is set to more than double by 2022. There’s going to be many more of these devices throughout the home, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on how your energy bill could be impacted.”

What about essential appliances?

While you can turn off most internet-connected devices, TVs and lights, what about appliances you can’t switch off – like fridges, freezers and alarms? 

We’ve been testing appliance energy use for decades, and our labs regularly drill down to check important stats like appliance energy use and running costs. We can help you choose the most efficient products in each category – great for both the planet and your bottom line.

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Look around your house and you’ll find many appliances – TVs, microwaves, phone chargers, washing machines and games consoles – that all cost you money even when you think you’ve turned them off. The arrival of the smart home will only add to your power bill: by 2023 the average home is expected to have almost 20 connected devices.

Standby energy costs eat into your bank account in small bites, but the bigger cost doesn’t just show up in your electricity bill. The total cost of standby energy across the country can amount to tonnes of CO² and other greenhouse gases being emitted.

We’ve found that if you have a lot of appliances that are inefficient, you could be paying hundreds of dollars or more per year for unnecessary power and contributing more than 1000 kilograms of greenhouse gases to the environment.

How much energy does an appliance use in standby mode?

When we compared appliances in 2019, the difference between the most efficient and least efficient was marginal in most areas. When it came to large air conditioners, for example, the lowest annual standby cost was $0.01, while the highest was $1.80. An efficient Blu-ray player cost nothing a year in standby costs, while the least efficient cost $0.05.Ìý

But with some products we saw a greater difference, for example the lowest standby energy cost for an Ikea microwave was $0.67 compared to a Panasonic model at $6.28.ÌýThe starkest divide was with multi-function printers, where the lowest standby cost was $0.00 compared to an absolute energy hog at $32.06.

Individually, most appliances will only draw a small amount of energy on standby, but Australia-wide it adds up to an immense amount of power. It’s often older appliances that use the most; energy-saving initiatives have generally made new appliances much more efficient in all respects, particularly if they have to adhere to an Energy Star rating. And while standby costs may be a small part of your total power bill, isn’t it better to have the money in your pocket, rather than the electricity company’s?

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