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Smart home
The real standby cost, in dollars
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01 / 05
Most smart plugs draw about 1 watt on standby, even when switched off.
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02 / 05
That is roughly 8.8 kWh per plug at about 18.2 cents per kWh, the 2026 US average.
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03 / 05
A tiny radio keeps a Wi-Fi link so your app and schedules respond instantly.
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04 / 05
A schedule that switches off a forgotten lamp can save more than the plug uses.
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05 / 05
A plug on a device you never turn off just adds standby power.
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Do the math
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