UK government proposes standby power limits for smart devices

The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed regulations to limit the power consumption of household devices in standby or off modes. The plan aims to align British standards with European Union rules to ensure manufacturers can treat the UK and EU markets consistently.

The proposed measures would cap the power usage of internet-enabled devices at two watts during standby. This could impact a wide range of products, including smart TVs, games consoles, robot vacuum cleaners, air fryers, and voice-activated lighting. To meet these limits, devices may be required to disconnect from Wi-Fi when not in use, potentially increasing the time it takes to ‘wake up’ or respond to commands.

Under the proposal, smart TVs and consoles would enter standby mode after 20 minutes of inactivity. The government stated these changes are intended to prevent devices from ‘silently draining money from families’ bank accounts’ by reducing wasted energy. However, critics have expressed concerns that the regulations could lead to slower device performance and increased user inconvenience.