Global electricity needs have been growing steadily since the advent of the industrial age. However, this daily energy consumption causes a considerable increase in our electricity bill. Even when everyday electrical appliances are turned off, they continue to consume electricity because they remain connected to the source, that is, to the socket.
What do the connected devices consume?
It is common to think that a device that is turned off no longer consumes energy, but unfortunately this is not always the case. Actually, some devices can continue to consume electricity even when turned off, this is called hidden consumption. This phenomenon is due to the presence of a transformer that remains in operation permanently, even when the device is in OFF mode. This transformer converts alternating current to direct current, but continues to draw electrical current even when the device is not turned on. That is why it is important to take this hidden consumption into account when you want to save on your bill.
Should all devices in standby mode be disconnected?
It is important to think about the consequences of systematically unplugging all the electrical appliances in the house.
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It can be counterproductive to unplug certain appliances like washing machines and dishwashers because they use the timeout to detect water leaks.
Regularly unplugging devices can also damage electrical outlets.
However, it is recommended to unplug certain appliances when you are away from home for an extended period, such as water heaters, refrigerators, and freezers.
Therefore, a balance must be found between energy saving and device security.
What is the hidden consumption of household appliances?
Devices that are turned off but left plugged in continue to consume power, which is called hidden consumption. This is because the main breaker is after the transformer so it stays energized until it is disconnected. This can include chargers for phones, televisions, printers, and computers. To check this you can use a power meter. It is also important to note that devices in standby mode also consume power. This contributes about 11% of the average household electric bill. To reduce this consumption, you can use a power strip with a switch to disconnect several devices at the same time.
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What devices consume power even when turned off?
Some devices consume power even when not in use. The devices that consume the most energy in standby are:
- The desktop computer and its screenthat can consume up to 23 euros of energy per year in standby
- The dryer, the oven and the television.that can consume up to 29.3 euros of energy per year in standby
- The washing machine and the DVD player.that can consume up to 12.2 euros of energy per year in standby
- The Hi-Fi system, the game console and the laptopthat can consume up to 14.4 euros of energy per year in standby
- wifi router, According to a study by ADEME, the average annual electricity consumption of a Wi-Fi internet box is around 97 kWh/year if it is used 22 hours a day, throughout the year. This represents an average annual cost of €16, or approximately 2% of the total electricity consumption of the French. Curiously, this consumption is similar to that of a 7 kg washing machine used 198 cycles per year, which is estimated at 101 kWh/year and costs €17.60.
It is necessary to take this energy consumption into account when using these devices and unplug them when not in use to reduce this unnecessary consumption.
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