Does Turning Off Appliances Save Electricity? What You Need to Know

When trying to reduce your electricity bill, you probably think about using the washing machine less often, adjusting your heating or replacing old appliances with more efficient models. But what about the devices you leave plugged in when you are not using them?

Televisions, coffee machines, computers and other household electronics may continue consuming electricity even when they appear to be switched off. This raises a common question: does turning off appliances save electricity, or do you need to unplug them completely?

The answer depends on the appliance and how it operates. Some devices stop consuming electricity when switched off, while others continue using small amounts of power to maintain certain functions.

Understanding these differences can help you make better decisions about your household electricity consumption without sacrificing convenience or safety.

 

Does turning off appliances really save electricity?

 

Yes, turning off appliances when they are not needed generally reduces electricity consumption. However, the amount saved depends on whether the device stops drawing power completely or continues operating in a low-power mode.

For example, switching off a television using its remote control usually stops the screen from operating, but the television may still consume electricity while waiting for a signal to turn back on. This is known as standby power consumption.

Other appliances may continue using electricity to display the time, maintain a network connection or respond to remote commands.

The European Commission recognises that many household and electronic devices consume electricity even when they are not actively performing their main function. This does not mean that every plugged-in appliance is constantly wasting significant amounts of energy.

Modern devices can have very low standby consumption, and some equipment is designed to disconnect almost completely when switched off. The key is understanding which appliances continue drawing power and whether disconnecting them would produce a meaningful saving.

Discover more ways to save energy with our article about 10 effective ways to save energy at home and lower your electricity bills.

 

Turning off vs unplugging appliances: what’s the difference?

 

Turning off an appliance and unplugging it are not always the same thing. When you switch off a device using its power button or remote control, it may enter one of several operating states.

In some cases, the appliance enters standby mode. This allows it to restart quickly, respond to commands or maintain selected functions. Other devices enter an off mode in which they no longer perform their main function but may still draw a small amount of electricity.

Unplugging an appliance from the wall socket physically disconnects it from the electricity supply. For an ordinary plug-in appliance with no other power source, this eliminates its electricity consumption from that socket.

However, unplugging every appliance is not always necessary or advisable. Some equipment needs a continuous power supply to perform essential functions, preserve connectivity or operate safely.

For example, disconnecting a refrigerator would interrupt its cooling function, while unplugging a router would also interrupt the internet connection and potentially other connected services.

Therefore, the most practical approach is to distinguish between devices that can be disconnected when unused and those that need to remain powered.

 

Which appliances are worth turning off or unplugging?

 

Not all household appliances offer the same potential for electricity savings. The most useful candidates are generally devices that remain connected for long periods without being used and do not need to perform background functions.

Televisions, entertainment systems and game consoles

Televisions, sound systems and game consoles can continue consuming electricity when placed in standby mode. Some devices maintain network connections, check for updates or remain ready to start quickly.

If you rarely use these functions, reviewing their power settings may help reduce unnecessary consumption.

Many modern devices offer energy-saving options that limit background activity. For entertainment systems containing several devices, a suitable switched power strip can make it easier to disconnect equipment when it is not needed.

However, make sure the devices have completed any necessary shutdown procedures before cutting their power.

Computers, monitors and office equipment

Desktop computers, monitors and printers may consume electricity when left on or in certain low-power modes. If you use a computer for several hours a day, enabling automatic sleep settings can reduce consumption during short periods of inactivity.

For longer periods, shutting down the equipment may be more appropriate. Printers and other connected devices may also offer energy-saving settings that reduce electricity consumption without requiring frequent manual disconnection.

The best choice depends on how often you use the equipment and whether it needs to remain available remotely.

Kitchen appliances and small electronics

Microwaves, coffee machines and other kitchen devices sometimes use electricity to maintain digital displays, clocks or electronic controls. The amount consumed varies by model.

For appliances that are used only occasionally, switching them off at the socket can be a simple way to avoid unnecessary electricity use. However, appliances with essential programmed functions or manufacturer-specific shutdown requirements should be treated differently.

The objective is not to disconnect everything indiscriminately, but to identify equipment that does not need to remain powered between uses.

 

How much electricity can you save by unplugging appliances?

 

The savings depend on three main factors: the power consumed while the appliance is inactive, the number of hours it remains in that state and the electricity price applicable to your consumption.

You can estimate the electricity used by an appliance with a simple formula: Power (W) × hours ÷ 1,000 = electricity consumption (kWh)

Imagine a device that consumes 3 watts in standby mode and remains in that state for 20 hours every day. Its estimated annual standby consumption would be: 3 W × 20 hours × 365 days ÷ 1,000 = 21.9 kWh per year

If we use an illustrative electricity price of €0.20/kWh, the corresponding energy cost would be: 21.9 kWh × €0.20 = €4.38 per year. This is a hypothetical example, not a typical consumption figure for a particular appliance or a current electricity tariff in Spain.

So, if several devices consume electricity unnecessarily, the combined amount may be more noticeable. However, the savings from unplugging one efficient modern device can be very small.

It is also important to remember that reducing electricity consumption does not necessarily reduce every component of your electricity bill. In Spain, household bills can include contracted power charges, energy charges, taxes and other applicable items.

Reducing standby consumption primarily affects the electricity you use, rather than the contracted power itself.

 

Is it worth unplugging appliances every day?

 

Whether unplugging appliances is worthwhile depends on the potential savings and how convenient it is to disconnect them. For devices that consume very little power in standby, repeatedly unplugging them may produce only a small financial benefit.

In contrast, a group of devices that remains connected throughout the day could offer more opportunities for savings. A practical solution is to prioritise equipment that:

• Remains unused for long periods
• Has unnecessary standby or background functions
• Can be disconnected without affecting safety or essential services
• Is easy to switch off using an accessible socket or suitable power strip

You do not necessarily need to unplug a device every time you leave a room. Instead, consider your household routines.

For example, disconnecting non-essential entertainment equipment overnight or while you are away for several days may be more practical than constantly unplugging individual devices. The important thing is to make changes that are easy to maintain.

 

How to identify appliances that consume electricity when switched off

 

One of the most reliable ways to understand whether a device uses electricity while inactive is to measure it. A plug-in electricity consumption meter can help you check the power drawn by compatible household appliances.

These devices are placed between the appliance and the wall socket and can display electricity consumption or instantaneous power. For example, you could compare the power used by a television while operating, in standby mode and after switching it off using its physical controls. This allows you to see whether the different settings make a meaningful difference.

Some smart plugs also include energy-monitoring functions, although their measurement accuracy varies and they consume a small amount of electricity themselves. When measuring very low standby consumption, it is important to use a meter capable of accurately detecting small power values.

You can also consult the appliance’s technical documentation. Under European ecodesign rules, manufacturers of covered products must provide information about energy consumption in certain low-power modes.

These requirements can help consumers understand the energy performance of compatible equipment.

 

What do European regulations say about standby consumption?

 

The European Union has introduced ecodesign requirements to reduce the electricity consumed by household and office equipment when it is not actively being used. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/826 establishes requirements for off mode, standby mode and networked standby for products within its scope.

The revised requirements began applying in May 2025 to newly placed products covered by the regulation.

For many covered devices, the limits include 0.5 watts in standard standby mode and 0.8 watts when certain information or status displays are active. Different requirements apply to network-connected equipment, and some product categories are governed by specific ecodesign rules.

These limits do not mean that every appliance already installed in a Spanish home consumes less than one watt when switched off. Older devices may have different consumption levels, and some connected equipment operates under other limits.

Nevertheless, the regulations illustrate an important development: modern appliances are increasingly designed to reduce unnecessary electricity use when inactive.

This makes checking the actual consumption of each device more useful than assuming that every appliance left plugged in is a major source of energy waste.

 

When should you leave appliances plugged in?

 

Although disconnecting unnecessary equipment can reduce electricity consumption, certain appliances should remain connected for practical or safety reasons. 

• Refrigerators and freezers need electricity to maintain safe storage temperatures.
• Internet routers may also need to remain powered when they support security systems, remote monitoring or other connected services.

Similarly, some appliances carry out maintenance functions or require a specific shutdown procedure. For example, certain printers perform maintenance cycles, while some electronic equipment needs time to complete updates or save information.

Before disconnecting an unfamiliar appliance, check the manufacturer’s recommendations. You should also avoid using unsuitable power strips, overloading sockets or repeatedly interrupting equipment that is not designed for this type of operation.

Saving electricity should never compromise the safety of your home. If you’d like to learn more about saving electricity, check out our article about Smart home devices to reduce energy consumption.

 

Frequently asked questions about turning off appliances

 

Does switching appliances on and off damage them?

Normal switching is generally part of an appliance’s intended operation. However, frequent or abrupt power interruptions may be unsuitable for certain equipment, particularly devices that need to complete shutdown or maintenance processes. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can a charger use electricity when nothing is connected to it?

Yes. Some chargers consume a small amount of electricity when plugged into a socket without charging a device. This is known as no-load consumption. The amount depends on the charger’s design and efficiency, and it can be very low in modern models.

Is it safe to leave a washing machine plugged in when not in use?

Washing machines are generally designed to remain connected to a suitable electrical installation when not operating. However, they should be installed and used according to the manufacturer’s safety instructions. Disconnecting a machine before cleaning or maintenance may be required, depending on the procedure.

Can turning off appliances help prevent electrical fires?

Disconnecting an appliance removes its connection to the mains supply and can eliminate certain electrical risks associated with that device while disconnected. However, unplugging appliances is not a substitute for maintaining a safe electrical installation, using appropriate sockets and following product safety instructions.

Should you unplug appliances before going on holiday?

It can be sensible to disconnect non-essential devices that will not be needed during your absence. However, appliances supporting refrigeration, alarms, security cameras or other important functions may need to remain powered. Check each device before disconnecting it, especially in a holiday home.

Do smart plugs save more electricity than ordinary switched power strips?

Not necessarily. A smart plug can provide remote control, scheduling and sometimes energy monitoring, but it also consumes electricity to operate. An ordinary switched power strip may be sufficient if your only objective is to disconnect several compatible devices manually. The better option depends on the functions you need.

 

Conclusion: small changes can help you control your electricity use

 

So, does turning off appliances save electricity? Yes. Switching off equipment when it is not needed can reduce consumption, and unplugging suitable devices can eliminate the electricity they draw from the socket.

However, the amount saved depends on the appliance, its standby consumption and how long it remains unused. Rather than unplugging everything, focus on understanding which devices continue consuming electricity unnecessarily.

Checking energy-saving settings, measuring standby power and disconnecting non-essential equipment when appropriate can help you develop more efficient household habits.

At Evergreen Eléctrica, we believe that understanding your electricity consumption is the first step towards making better energy decisions.

Whether you live permanently in Spain or own a second home, choosing an electricity tariff that suits your needs and understanding how you use energy can help you manage your electricity bills more effectively.