Phantom consumption: five appliances that use electricity even when switched off

Several household appliances keep using electricity even when you believe they are switched off. In Germany, the annual bill can rise quickly.

The German business news website behind this article is warning households about a discreet yet costly issue: the hidden electricity use of certain appliances, including when they are off. Often described as “phantom consumption”, these costs add to annual budgets without households noticing. The issue is directly relevant to people in France too, who are also facing a sustained increase in electricity prices.

Five appliances that consume electricity even when switched off

The German outlet identifies five categories of appliances that are particularly affected. They have one thing in common: as long as they remain connected to the mains, they draw a small amount of electricity, whether on standby or seemingly “off”.

1. Television sets and connected devices

Modern televisions, particularly recent large-screen models, do not fully disconnect from the power supply when they appear to be off. Standby mode enables rapid start-up, receipt of updates and voice-command listening. The result is continuous consumption, sometimes around the clock.

• Smart TVs
• TV set-top boxes supplied by providers
• Media players and games consoles

“A television left on standby all year, combined with a TV box that is never unplugged, can account for several dozen kilowatt-hours used without any actual use.”

The website points out that the build-up of standby consumption is far from insignificant in a household that often has several screens.

2. Computers, monitors and printers

Desktop computers, external monitors and home printers are also among the devices mentioned. Even when they appear to be shut down, some components remain powered, including the power supply, network card and remote wake-up functions.

Laptop chargers left plugged into the wall, even without a computer attached to the cable, also use a little electricity. The effect is limited for one charger, but becomes meaningful when several power blocks permanently supply an entire home-office area.

3. Internet hubs and Wi-Fi routers

Internet hubs and routers are another category highlighted in the article. These devices stay on day and night to maintain network access. In many homes, they are simply never switched off.

“An internet hub runs continuously 365 days a year, making it one of the most power-hungry sources of structural standby consumption in a modern home.”

The German outlet notes that switching off the hub overnight can deliver a worthwhile saving over the year, although the possible inconvenience-loss of Wi-Fi for smartphones, connected devices and internet television-may deter some users.

4. Games consoles

Recent games consoles offer several modes: on, standby, rest mode with downloads, and sometimes an “off” setting that does not fully cut the power. In rest mode, game updates continue, requiring part of the machine to remain permanently supplied with electricity.

The website observes that many users leave their console in standby for convenience, without realising that this choice directly affects the household’s annual electricity consumption.

5. Chargers and small appliances permanently on standby

The fifth group includes chargers for smartphones and tablets, along with other small appliances such as:

• coffee machines with an integrated clock;
• microwaves displaying the time;
• clock radios and speakers;
• various decoder boxes.

Each item’s individual consumption remains low, but these appliances operate continuously throughout the year. It is precisely this duration that turns a few watts into very real kilowatt-hours on the bill.

An annual total that surprises many German households

According to estimates cited by the German outlet, the combined total of this hidden consumption amounts, over a year, to a level that surprises most households. Taken separately, no individual appliance appears problematic; together, they increase the bill.

“The combination of multiple standby modes and appliances ‘switched off but plugged in’ creates a permanent energy load, often overlooked, amounting to tens of euros every year for an average household.”

The site stresses that this spending delivers no additional comfort: it does not correspond to any direct use, only a state of availability or waiting.

Why do these appliances still use electricity?

The explanation is mainly technical. Manufacturers include numerous features that require a continuous minimum power supply:

• internal clocks and digital displays;
• storage of settings;
• reception of remote commands, including remote controls and voice commands;
• permanent network connectivity for updates and remote access.

These features rely on electronic components which, although they use very little power individually, continuously draw electricity from the grid. Added together, these tiny uses, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, become significant.

What can be done to reduce phantom consumption?

The German outlet highlights several straightforward actions that can be applied in any European country, including France.

Use more extension leads with switches

One of the suggested approaches is to group appliances in the same area of the home on an extension lead fitted with a switch. A single action can then cut the power completely:

• TV area: television, set-top box, games console and player;
• office: desktop computer, monitor, printer and chargers;
• bedroom area: bedside lamps, speakers and chargers.

This option provides a genuine shut-off rather than leaving appliances in simple standby mode.

Switch off the internet hub overnight

The article also mentions turning off the internet hub overnight for households that do not need a connection while they are asleep. This remains a compromise to assess on a case-by-case basis, taking account of:

• the needs of other household members;
• any remote monitoring or connected alarm systems;
• home-automation equipment that needs a permanent connection.

Unplug unused chargers

Another piece of advice is to remove chargers from sockets when they are not in use, especially those habitually left plugged in in hallways, kitchens or bedrooms. This routine prevents continuous consumption for a service only needed occasionally.

What is the situation for households in France?

In France too, standby power represents a notable share of household electricity consumption. The French ecological transition agency, Ademe, has already drawn attention to the issue, commonly called “hidden consumption” or “phantom consumption”.

The principle is the same as in Germany: any device with standby mode, a clock or an illuminated indicator uses electricity. The appliances concerned are identical: televisions, internet hubs, computers, consoles, chargers and small domestic appliances.

Appliance type	Typical use in France	Risk of hidden consumption
TV and set-top boxes	Used for several hours, then left on standby the rest of the time	High if never unplugged
Internet hub	Left on 24 hours a day in most homes	Very high over the year
Computers and printers	Especially in households working from home	Medium to high depending on settings
Games consoles	Widely present in households with children or teenagers	Varies according to the shutdown mode selected

In France, electricity suppliers and public authorities also encourage reductions in this type of consumption. Awareness campaigns emphasise the value of:

• using extension leads with switches;
• identifying devices unnecessarily left on standby;
• choosing “energy-saving” modes where appliances offer them.

Understanding the cumulative effect on the bill

One point raised by the German outlet deserves clarification for readers in France: the cumulative effect. A device that permanently uses very little electricity does not appear alarming. What matters is the combination:

“In a typical household, the bill is not determined solely by heating or major appliances. The addition of small permanent uses eventually becomes a category in its own right.”

In practical terms, an appliance using a few watts continuously can go unnoticed. Yet when this is multiplied across ten or fifteen appliances, 24 hours a day, this invisible expense becomes a genuine opportunity for savings.

A practical example in a typical home

Imagine a living room with a large television, a TV box, a games console and a media player, all connected to an extension lead without a switch. Added to this is an office containing a desktop computer, monitor, printer and computer charger, likewise permanently plugged in.

Without any real disconnection, this small collection operates all year round, including during holidays, weekends away and overnight. Even where each appliance uses little electricity in standby, the duration for which it draws power from the grid is total.

Limits and precautions to bear in mind

The German article indirectly reminds readers that not everything can be unplugged. Some equipment must remain powered for safety or basic convenience, including refrigerators, freezers, certain alarm or remote-monitoring systems, and medical devices used at home.

Each household must therefore balance potential savings against everyday constraints. Some choices, such as unplugging a coffee machine or games console, are simple. Others, including fully switching off the internet hub overnight, require consideration of household members’ needs and connected equipment.

For French households as for German households, the aim is not to chase every last watt at the cost of permanent inconvenience, but to reduce obvious waste-consumption that provides absolutely no everyday service.