Standby Power Cost Calculator
Estimate how much it costs each year to leave appliances on standby rather than switching them off at the wall.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Annual energy
- kWh/year = (watts / 1000) × 24 × 365 × number of devices
Worked example
One 5 W device left on standby all year at 30c/kWh uses about 43.8 kWh, costing around $13.14 a year; five such devices would cost about $65.70.
Assumptions
- Assumes constant standby draw for the entire year with no periods switched off.
- Modern energy-rated devices typically use only 0.5–2 W on standby.
- Excludes any active-use power, which is calculated separately.
How this calculator works
Enter the standby wattage of an appliance (often 1–10 watts for modern electronics) and your electricity rate to see the annual cost of leaving it plugged in around the clock. Multiple standby devices across a household can add up to a meaningful yearly cost.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find standby wattage?
Use a plug-in power meter for an accurate reading, or check the appliance manual for a listed standby consumption figure.
Which appliances use the most standby power?
Set-top boxes, games consoles, and older televisions or chargers left plugged in tend to draw more standby power than modern energy-rated devices.
Is it worth switching off at the wall?
For low-standby modern devices the saving may be small, but for older or multiple devices it can add up to a noticeable amount over a year.
Actual prices, usage, efficiency and savings vary by provider, equipment, location and behaviour.