Every night, while we sleep, our appliances continue to work, consuming energy. They don’t need to be turned on: all that’s needed is that small red light on the television, the bright display on the microwave, or the decoder always ready to receive the remote control signal. This waiting mode consumes electricity continuously, day and night, 365 days a year. The solution to stop such waste is simpler than you think: a multi-socket power strip with switch.
An investment of just a few euros
The object in question costs a few euros but can significantly reduce bills. Its function is elementary: it allows you to turn off all connected devices with a single gesture, completely interrupting the flow of power. Once you flip the red switch, your computer, television, printer, and any other appliance really stops consuming energy.
The standby that never rests
Most people believe that a turned off device does not consume electricity. Wrong! Because in reality, modern appliances never turn off completely but go into standby mode. This feature keeps them ready to turn back on quickly at the first command, but it comes at a hidden cost. According to data from the National Agency for New Technologies (ENEA), each single device in standby can absorb from 1 to 4 watts every hour.
Consumption that seems irrelevant becomes important when devices multiply. A household with a television, set-top box, video game console, computer, microwave, battery charger and other electronic devices can find itself with dozens of devices always connected to the electricity grid. Studies show that the average home consumes approximately 305 kilowatt hours per year just to power standby appliances. According to Altroconsumo, phantom consumption accounts for 8% of the bill, therefore over 200 kilowatt hours per year, for a cost of around 65 euros.
The worst hidden consumers
Some appliances weigh more on the energy balance than others. The microwave represents an emblematic case: it remains on standby for 98% of the time, with the digital clock always illuminated. Models without an energy saving function can absorb up to 3.6 watts in standby and consume 31 kilowatt hours in a year, over 10 euros. Video game consoles are particularly expensive: their standby can amount to 40% of the device’s total electricity consumption.
Air conditioners show notable variations between different models. Some draw just over 1 watt while others reach as much as 5 watts in standby, for an average of 12 kilowatt hours per year. Even seemingly harmless devices like chargers contribute to waste: a smartphone charger left in the socket consumes up to 7 kilowatt hours in a year.
What European law says
European legislation – Regulation (EU) 2023/826 of the Commission of 17 April 2023 – has recognized the problem and introduced increasingly stringent limits. From May 2025, the energy consumption of switched-off devices must not exceed 0.5 watts, a value which will drop to 0.3 watts in 2027, while that in standby mode must remain within 0.8 watts. These new standards force manufacturers to design more efficient appliances, but they do not eliminate standby consumption.
The solution
The multi-socket power strip with switch solves the problem at its root. Connecting all the devices in a room to a single power strip allows you to turn them off simultaneously before going to sleep or when leaving the house. The same operation would be impracticable if every single plug had to be removed: it would require time, patience and a consistency that few possess. With the power strip switch it only takes a second.
There are different models on the market: the simplest ones have a single switch that controls all the sockets, other more sophisticated models offer individual switches for each socket, allowing selective control of the devices. Some smart slippers can be programmed with timers or controlled from a smartphone, adding convenience to managing consumption.
How to choose the right one
Choosing the right model depends on your specific needs. For devices that generate high current peaks such as computers and heavy appliances, it is better to choose oversized power strips with greater safety guarantees. The maximum output power is a fundamental parameter to check before purchasing.
Using the power strip with switch requires a small change of habit. Before going to bed or going out, just turn off the red switch. Upon returning or waking up, it turns on again with the same gesture. This simple routine can reduce home electricity consumption by up to 10% according to estimates by energy saving experts.
The benefit for the environment and your wallet
The advantage is not only economic, given that reducing standby consumption also means reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Globally, standby consumption causes 1% of overall CO2 emissions, which, when multiplied by millions of homes, becomes a truly significant environmental problem.
The multi-socket power strip with switch therefore represents an active saving tool even when we don’t think about it. While we sleep, while we are at work, while we are on holiday, turning off the switch prevents appliances from consuming energy unnecessarily. A minimal investment that pays for itself in a few months and will continue to generate savings year after year.
