Unplugging your OLED TV and Wi‑Fi router could harm them
If you frequently unplug household appliances to avoid high bills, you need to be aware that this practice can be detrimental to certain devices. Not only will you fail to save money, but you might also incur additional repair costs.
27 July 2024 16:29
The cost of electricity rises year after year. In this context, it's worth unplugging "energy thieves" such as phone and laptop chargers, electric kettles, and microwaves. These devices consume power even when not in use.
This approach doesn't apply to every electronic device. Unplugging them might not save any money and could potentially damage the device.
Particular caution is advised for OLED televisions, Wi-Fi routers, and inkjet printers. Each device's running cost is just a few pounds a year.
Unplugging these devices can have unpleasant consequences
Due to its top-quality matrix, an OLED television is usually expensive. Therefore, it's best not to damage it. Such unpleasant consequences can occur if you regularly unplug it.
Few people know that in standby mode, an OLED television occasionally activates a mode that "maintains" the device. Thanks to the processes that occur then, its lifespan can be extended. If you unplug the television at this moment, it could result in a malfunction.
Regarding routers, each disconnection from the power results in an internet connection drop and a reconfiguration, which consumes considerable time and energy. Additionally, the internet provider may reduce the speed if it detects system errors and interprets them as bandwidth problems.
For printers, each restart consumes additional power and ink for cleaning the heads. This generates extra costs. Hence, it's better to keep the printer always on and perform such a reset and cleaning every few months.
If you're seeking ways to save electricity, you should know that the induction hob consumes the most. This information is provided by a report prepared by the Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG). While unplugging it is impossible, it's worth avoiding cooking at the highest settings.