Massive amount of standby power wasted by British households 
(27/02/2008)
A survey conducted by Bye Bye Standby has found that Brits are still clueless when it comes to knowing which home appliances are guzzling energy, even when not fully operating. 64 per cent of the 1,000 people surveyed said they have more than ten appliances plugged in at home at any one time. This could represent a massive amount of standby power, being used by each household.
It has been measured that around 10 per cent of the average household bill is wasted through gadgets left on when not in use. People are still contributing to the four million tonnes of extra carbon dioxide emissions per year caused by standby power.
The survey also asked consumers to select which of the following appliances they think have a standby power (ie. washing machines, televisions, tumble dryers and dishwashers). The correct answer is in-fact that ALL of the appliances use a standby power when they are not in use.
Not surprisingly, the survey revealed that the majority of respondents (90 per cent) knew that televisions have a standby power. However, shockingly a large number of people questioned didn’t pick out some of the worst standby offenders. 77 per cent had no clue that tumble dryers can guzzle as much as 38 per cent of their power whilst waiting at the end of a cycle.
67 per cent didn’t regard dishwashers as having a standby mode – a worrying finding as most are turned on at the end of the day and left on all night. Washing machines can use around 20 per cent of their normal electricity requirement on standby, and in contrast 66 per cent of people in the survey didn’t even know that a washing machine has a standby power!
These results prove that people are still confused about which electrical devices could be consuming energy when they think they are switched off. Over £1 billion worth of energy is wasted every year by leaving appliances on standby. Not all products have an obvious standby power, which is where the confusion lies. If it has an external power supply it will use electricity even when off.
Geoff Ellis, product director for Bye Bye Standby says, “Many people feel confused about just how to reduce their carbon footprint. Our survey showed that people are still contributing to the four million tonnes or more of extra carbon dioxide emissions caused by standby power, by not unplugging any devices not being used. By making a few lifestyle adjustments, it is possible to make a significant impact on climate change. There are a variety of products in the Bye Bye Standby range designed to cut power to appliances in standby mode; an aid for busy lifestyles, saving households precious energy and money.”
What appliances are the worst standby offenders?
- Dishwashers left on at the end of their cycle consume 70 per cent of the power used when they are running.
- The average television is left on standby for up to 17.5 hours a day. Last year Britain's 62 million television sets consumed about eight per cent of their energy consumption in standby mode.
- Washing machines use just under 20 per cent of their normal electricity requirement on standby.
- Tumble-dryers can use 38 per cent of power while waiting at the end of a cycle.
- If lights were turned off when not in use it would prevent 375,000 tons of CO2 emissions and save £55million in bills.
- There is little difference between the power requirement of digital receivers when they are being used and on standby.
- Other appliances with high standby power are cordless telephones, radios and stereos.
Bye Bye Standby is an energy saving kit for the home which allows you to control appliances with the aid of a remote control. Bye Bye Standby could save the average household £38 per year.
Related categories: Energy efficiency Residential
