Overview

• Older appliances are costly: ZVEH cites a roughly 30‑year refrigerator using about 410 kWh per year versus around 110 kWh for modern models.
• Typical standby drains include older TVs, consoles and receivers drawing up to 15 watts, with an older TV costing as much as €50 a year; printers left on can add about €30.
• Networking and smart‑home gear also add up, with a Wi‑Fi router consuming up to 10 watts—over €30 annually—and devices like smart speakers drawing continuously.
• Simple fixes include switchable or “Main‑Follow” power strips, timers or night modes to fully cut power, plus unplugging or grouping chargers and small appliances.
• Measurement tools start at about €10 or can be borrowed from Verbraucherzentrale offices; a stern test found idle chargers draw very little, yet Vattenfall estimates roughly 2.5 kWh per unused phone charger yearly, and unplugging reduces fire risk from faulty units.