Standby Power
Standby power is the energy used by an appliance while it’s plugged in but not being used. Appliances in standby mode continue to draw a significant amount of power. It is estimated that in New Zealand standby accounts for 5 per cent of the total household electricity use or $100 million per annum.
There are a range of appliances in the average household that use standby, here are some examples:
- televisions
- dishwashers
- microwaves
- cordless phones
- electric toothbrushes
- garage door openers
Used in the office also:
- computers
- computer screens
- printers
The following entertainment products account for 61% of standby energy use in the home:
- televisions
- radio
- video
- DVD players
- games consoles
- Sky decoders
Approximately a quarter of all electricity used by televisions is just for standby!
In fact the average household could be saving around 5% on their power bill if appliances on standby were switched off.
EECA plans to introduce Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) to reduce standby energy use. Proposed products include:
- digital set top boxes (such as sky decoders)
- external power supplies (such as mobile phone rechargers)
- televisions
It is intended that MEPS will be implemented in October 2008 for set top boxes and power supplies and not before 2008 for televisions.
For further details please contact regs@eeca.govt.nz.
