Is it true that even though something electronic is turned off, if it is still plugged in it uses energy?

Question

Is it true that even though something electronic is turned off, if it is still plugged in it uses energy?

Answer 1

Yes so your electricity bill will be large monthly than it would do if you take it out of the socket

Answer 2

If it has a battery pack built in it is constantly charging and discharging.

Answer 3

Yes. Even though the electronic device is turned off, it still draws small amounts of energy from the electric outlet. Although it is small amounts, they add up. You should always unplug things when you aren't using them. It will save a lot of energy in the long run!

Answer 4

Yes ... not everything, but some do, and it's a very minute amount of power. For example .. anything with a digital clock in it .. coffee maker, VCR etc ...   :)

Answer 5

Yes, it does. Especially coffee makers, DVD players, etc. It all wastes energy and makes your electric bill go up.

Answer 6

It is true for some appliances and not for others.

You can often tell whether an appliance is using some energy because a small light or display (for example a clock) is visible and goes off when you unplug.  However  computers on standby do not display a light but still use a small amount of electricity.

Pulling the plug out or switching off at the socket (if there is a switch) is generally a good idea to save electricity and to reduce the risk of fire.

Best wishes

Answer 7

HAHAHAHAHA!

U LOST 5 POINTS!

I GANIED 2 MORE!

Answer 8

Yes, like the TV left on stand by all the time makes up 10% of your yearly bill....

Answer 9

Depends on what it is...for example, a coffee maker or microwave will still use power. The microwave usually has a light that displays the time, as does the coffee makers. I know computers, even though they go into power save mode will still use electericity, as well. Things like a hairdryer or toaster will not give off energy, though.

Answer 10

No, that's wrong. It still has a power surge in the cord--so it can catch fire or lightening can strike it. But, no. There is no electricity being used otherwise our electric bills would be tens of thousands of dollars.

The people here who say yes, cannot support their obvious false information.

Just becasue an electrical current is running TO the plug doesn't mean it's being used. You must initiate the usage by turning it on...even a coffee pot.

Call the Electric company...they can verify the truth in my answer here.

Answer 11

Yes, it's true.  The amount of energy wasted will vary, but it's still a waste, and it still increases the risk of an electrical malfunction that could result in a fire.

Answer 12

yes it is very much so true! If you can unplug ur computer, game system, etc. your energy bill will be lowered a lot the next bill. You can also by tide 2x concentrated detergent with the label reading "coldwater" so that you can wash ur clothes in coldwater and still have them clean, while saving energy and ur money. Just some tips to try out.

Answer 13

Yes they do.   Most use way more energy than you can imagine.   Computers, TV's, dvd players, cd players are the worse.   They suggest plugging these into the surge protector outlets, then turning the surge protector off when you are done.   This will save you quite a few dollars a year.

Answer 14

It depends on what the electronic thing is doing, when it gets turned on.  It depends on whether the electronic thing needs energy when it is turned ofrf ... like a computer for example ... it needs to know the correct time when it is turned back on again ... something is using energy to keep track of that.

This should be easy enough for someone familiar with electronics to check out ... just measure the electricity beting drained by what is plugged in.

Answer 15

All the "instant on" things like TV's,VCR,DVD,etc.,will always use power when off.(this is how they keep their clocks set,etc.)

Answer 16

No, unless it has a light, clock or computer module in it, and now days many things do.

Answer 17

yes because the energy is constantly moving back and forth from the source to the thing that is using it..it is just waiting for you to turn it on and use the electricity

Answer 18

Heather and Morphiz make valid points -- If a device has an external display, then it will continue to use electricity to power the display. If a device is in standby mode then it is not turned off and still uses some power. What Morphiz says about the switches is correct.

Stixx needs to take a course in basic electromagnetic physics. That has to be the most incorrect answer ever!

Answer 19

No, that is not true.  Sadly, many people have been so badly served by our educational system they know virtually nothing about how electricty works--which is how this myth got started.

Here's how it works: in order for energy to be used, there has to be a complete phycial circuit for the electrical current to flow through. When a device (like a lamp) is turned off, the current cannot flow, and so no electricity can be sued.  It's really that simple.

Now--there is one sort of "special case." That is when you have devices--like computers, TV's, etc--that have internal systems (usually a clock) that keep running.  That requires an internal battery-which itself is recharged if the device is plugged in.  But that type of internal system uses only a very tiny amount of electricity--it really is insiginificant.  And they will use that energy anyway--even if the device is unplugged--because the system will keep running the clock off the battery anyway.

ONevarilation on this are things like coffeemakers, which usually have a clock/timer built in these days. These are simple systems, though, and don't include internal battery systems and such.  So, when they are "off" they keep drawing a bit of power to run that clock.  Again, however, the amount of energy used isn't enough to matter.

Answer 20

In some case, when a device is turned off (like a table lamp), the power is removed and no usage at all is possible.

Other devices, such as a phone charger, still have an extremely tiny current flowing through the transformer primary even when the phone is removed.  But the amount of power being consumed is so infinitesimal that it's unmeasurable.

And then devices, such as your TV or stereo which can be turned on/off by remote control, must as a necessity use energy in order to recognize and respond to the remote control.

Answer 21

yes

Answer 22

yes it is true. very very true.

if you want any more info go to:

thedailygreen.com

or

stopglobalwarming.org

Answer 23

Yes even if your not using something its still plugged into the outlet which means your still using it so unplug things like cell phone chargers coffee makers etc... :D

Answer 24

Yes I actually tested that theory and would plug and unplug things and watch the electric meter wheel to see just how many revolutions it made when certain things are plugged in.

Answer 25

Yes it is using minute bits of Energy.  You should unplug unused appliances.  Not only does it use energy, but it can also be a fire danger.  My sister's bathroom caught on fire from a hair dryer that was plugged in (but not turned on).

Answer 26

It may.

If it is in "standby" mode it uses electricity and may even use more!

If it has a "hard" switch, that cuts out the power it does not use electricity.

Answer 27

it depends on the status of electronic machine which is being used. If you put it on STANDBY position, It willl consume energy.

Answer 28

For most appliances, turning them “off” has the same effect as unplugging it from the wall. Some appliances, like VCRs, have minimal standby electricity usage even when the appliance is turned off. Extra refrigerators or freezers should be unplugged when not in use.

Answer 29

Not necessarily. If when you turn it off it just goes to standby then, yes. If -like on my TV- you can turn it off standby then, no.

Boy, does Stixx have it wrong!! Don't get her to do any electrical work in your house!