Standby power is the electricity a television continues to draw while it is switched off but not physically unplugged, kept ready to respond quickly to the remote control, a scheduled recording, a smart speaker command or a network wake signal. It is generally a very small figure compared with the power used while actually displaying a picture.
Regulations in the EU and several other regions limit how much standby power a television is allowed to use, so modern sets typically draw only a small amount in this state, though features such as an always listening voice assistant, a network connection kept active for quick app loading, or a set top box left running can add to overall standby consumption for the whole setup, not the television alone.
For most households, standby power is a minor part of overall energy use compared with active viewing hours, though switching off a television and connected devices at the wall during long absences, such as a holiday, avoids any standby draw entirely. See our guide to TV energy consumption for the bigger picture.
