The Silent Energy Sucker: Your Router’s Secret Life
The Silent Energy Sucker: Your Router’s Secret Life
(It never sleeps… even when you do)
We worry about leaving lights on.
We scold ourselves for boiling a kettle twice.
But the real villain of modern energy waste?
That innocent-looking Wi-Fi router blinking quietly in the corner.
It’s the housemate that never goes to bed, eats electricity like snacks, and doesn’t even do the dishes.
🔌 How Much Power Does a Router Use?
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Most home routers draw 8–15 watts, 24/7.
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That’s 70–130 kWh per year.
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Equivalent to:
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About £20–30 on your bill (depending on your tariff)
Not huge — but multiplied by every household in the UK? That’s a lot of wasted watts.
🌙 Do I Really Need Wi-Fi at 3am?
Unless you’re live-streaming your dreams or your fridge is secretly watching Netflix, the answer is… probably not.
✅ How to Tame Your Router’s Secret Life
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Switch it off at night – save power, improve sleep (yes, fewer blinking lights).
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Use a timer plug – let automation do the boring work.
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Upgrade to an energy-efficient model – newer routers often use less power.
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Consolidate devices – combine router + modem where possible.
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Place it smartly – good placement reduces the need for extenders (more plugs = more watts).
🤔 But What If I Work From Home?
Fair point. Many of us need Wi-Fi running most of the day.
But consider:
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Do you need it on when you’re on holiday?
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Could you power down during long weekends?
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Could your office devices switch to sleep mode more aggressively?
🧘 Final Thought: Small Device, Big Habit
No, turning off your router won’t single-handedly stop climate change.
But it’s one of those little habits that stack up.
And if nothing else, it’ll save you from the eerie 3am glow of the “internet light.”
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