May 28, 2025, 3:08 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
In times when nearly everything is becoming more expensive, many people are looking for ways to save money. It’s worth taking a look at electricity consumption in your own home. However, with some devices, it can actually be harmful to disconnect them completely from the power supply.
A lot of unwanted energy guzzlers can hide in your own home. By identifying and turning them off, you can save a lot of energy—and thus money—over the year. However, there are some devices where this does more harm than good. When you unplug electronic devices, you’re not just cutting off the power supply. Typically, you take it completely off the grid, preventing updates or potentially damaging the electronics. TECHBOOK explains what you should watch out for.
OLED and Smart TVs Can Be Damaged
Bigger, brighter, more expensive to operate? Depending on the model, TVs can be real energy guzzlers, especially since they still consume noticeable energy in standby mode. Many users unplug these devices at night or during vacations to completely disconnect them from power.
While this is safe for LCD devices, it doesn’t apply to TVs with an OLED display. This is due to the technology used. In OLED TVs (short for organic light-emitting diode), the individual pixels light up themselves instead of using a backlight. This improves image contrast, among other things, but also means that each pixel must regenerate individually at every restart. Regularly disconnecting the TV from power puts a significant strain on the diodes, which can cause long-term damage.
To avoid this, newer devices increasingly have programs that help the diodes regenerate. You can find relevant information from your device’s manufacturer. If your TV has such a program, it can be relatively safely disconnected from power, but only if there is a certain time span between the regular shutdown of the device and the final disconnection from the power grid.
Special care must also be taken with modern Smart TVs. These download important software updates at night. If these are repeatedly missed, the restart may take longer, and functionality can be impaired.
It Depends on the Printer
Printers can also be real energy hogs, depending on their type and age. A laser printer, for example, can consume about 300 to 500 watts. This is because the device needs to heat up after being turned on. And even in standby mode, such a printer can cost quite a bit over the year. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, consume significantly less energy.
With a laser printer, it is worth completely disconnecting it from power to save energy. However, it is important to properly shut it down first. An inkjet printer, on the other hand, should never be unplugged. Each start triggers a self-cleaning and a corresponding test, which ultimately consumes more—also ink—than simply leaving it connected to the grid.
Caution with Wi-Fi Routers and Modems
Special caution is also advised with home routers. While it doesn’t harm the router itself if you regularly disconnect it from power, there are many factors to consider.
If, for example, the landline phone runs through the device, unplugging it significantly limits your accessibility. Additionally, much higher costs can unintentionally arise if devices like smartphones or tablets automatically switch to mobile data instead of Wi-Fi. Certain services and devices even rely on an internet connection. Smart home products are particularly affected.
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Devices You Should Unplug
Aside from these exceptions, you can still save a lot of energy by unplugging electrical devices. For gaming consoles or most chargers, this is not a problem and is even recommended! Especially in the area of household appliances, it’s relatively easy to save electricity effectively with a few measures, such as unplugging the microwave when it’s not in use.