Save electricity: Appliances you should unplug at night

Did you know that many of your appliances continue to use electricity (and money) while you sleep? We'll tell you what "energy vampires" are and how a simple gesture can help you save.

In the constant quest to optimize household expenses and reduce environmental impact, one silent enemy often goes unnoticed: phantom electricity consumption.

Many of the appliances we use every day continue to consume energy even when we think they're off, especially at night or when we're not home. Identifying and controlling these "energy vampires" can mean significant savings on your electricity bill and contribute to energy efficiency.

According to expert recommendations, there are several appliances that should be unplugged at night or during periods of non-use to maximize energy savings.

Phantom power, also known as standby power, refers to the electricity consumed by electronic devices when they are turned off but still connected to the power supply. Many modern devices are designed to remain in a standby state, ready to quickly turn on or perform background functions, such as receiving updates or keeping a digital display active.

Although the individual consumption of each appliance in standby mode may seem small, the sum of all of them throughout the day and month can represent a significant percentage of the total electricity bill, in addition to unnecessary energy waste.

This phenomenon not only has an individual economic impact, but is part of a broader trend of awareness about energy consumption and sustainability.

In a context of potential energy crises or rising electricity prices, these small savings measures take on collective importance. Furthermore, the growing popularity of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart homes, if not managed with an energy-efficiency mindset, could paradoxically increase phantom consumption, making these tips even more crucial.

Identifying which appliances consume the most energy in standby mode is the first step to combating this. Here's a list of the most common ones:

• * Television Set-Top Boxes (Cable/Satellite): These devices typically have digital displays, indicator lights, and systems that remain constantly active to receive signals or updates, even when the TV is off.
• * Video Game Consoles: Many modern consoles have "quick start" modes or perform game downloads and updates in the background, which involves continuous power consumption.
• * Modern Televisions (Smart TVs): Even when "off," Smart TVs often keep their internet connection active to receive software updates, app notifications, or to respond quickly to the remote control.
• * Mobile Device Chargers (Cell Phones, Tablets, Laptops): Even when the device is not connected to the charger, or if it has already completed charging, the charger transformer plugged into the wall still consumes a small amount of power.
• * Smart Speakers and Sound Systems: Audio systems, especially smart speakers with voice assistants, are designed to always be "listening" or ready to be activated, which leads to constant energy consumption.
• * Microwave Ovens with Digital Clock: The digital clock and display on a microwave, although useful, consume energy 24 hours a day.
• * Programmable Coffee Makers and Other Small Appliances with Displays or Lights: Similar to microwaves, coffee makers with programming functions or clocks, as well as other small appliances (toasters with displays, etc.), maintain active circuits.
• * Desktop Computers and Peripherals: If a desktop computer isn't completely shut down and is left in sleep mode, it continues to consume power. The same goes for monitors, printers, and other connected peripherals.

Although exact figures vary depending on the appliance model, age, and usage habits, it is estimated that phantom consumption can represent between 5% and 10% of a household's total electricity bill.

"Small changes in daily habits, such as unplugging unused electronic devices, can have a noticeable and positive impact on your electricity bill throughout the year, in addition to helping protect the environment."

For example, a device that consumes 5 watts in standby mode, if plugged in 24 hours a day for a year, can consume more than 40 kWh. Multiplied by several devices, the savings can be considerable.

There's a common myth that frequently unplugging and plugging appliances can damage their components or shorten their lifespan. For the vast majority of modern electronic devices, this isn't true. They're designed to withstand on-off cycles. In fact, in some cases, keeping them constantly powered on can cause increased wear on certain components or a slight increase in temperature, which, in the long run, is not beneficial.

Exceptions might be some very old or specific appliances, but for common consumer electronics (TVs, computers, chargers, etc.), unplugging them when not in use is a safe and recommended practice.

Combating vampire consumption is easier than it seems:

• * Use power strips with switches: They're an economical and effective solution. They allow you to connect multiple devices to a single power strip and turn them all off at once with a single switch, avoiding having to unplug each one individually.
• * Consider Smart Plugs: These devices connect between the wall outlet and the appliance and allow you to control the power supply via a mobile app. You can schedule on and off times or control them remotely.
• * Create the Habit of Unplugging: Before going to sleep or leaving the house for an extended period, do a quick check of the appliances that can be left unplugged.
• * Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances : When purchasing new appliances, look for those with energy-efficiency labels (such as Energy Star or local equivalents). These typically have lower standby power consumption.

Adopting these simple practices will not only result in financial savings, but also represents a responsible gesture toward energy consumption and sustainability.