Save money by shutting off your WiFi router every night. Discover how this small change can cut down electricity costs and improve energy efficiency.
This is the money you save yourself from shutting down the WiFi router every night (eye, it’s more than you imagine).
Table of Contents
How Does Your Router Contribute to Hidden Energy Costs?
The WiFi router is an essential device in most households, keeping your gadgets—from televisions to tablets—connected 24/7. However, because it’s always on, the router continuously consumes electricity. Though it may seem like a minor energy user compared to other home appliances, the overall impact can increase over time.
A typical router consumes approximately 10 watts per hour. When running nonstop for 720 hours each month, this constant usage adds significantly to your energy bill. By switching off the router for around eight hours every night—say, when you’re sleeping—you can reduce its usage by roughly one-third each day. This translates to noticeable savings without making drastic lifestyle adjustments.
How Much Can You Save by Turning Off the Router?
Turning off your WiFi router for eight hours each night could save you approximately 4.5 kWh of electricity monthly. Depending on your electric rate and the specific router model, this could result in annual savings of about 11 euros. While this may seem small, combining this action with other energy-saving measures can lead to more significant reductions over time.
These seemingly minor changes can have a larger effect on your electricity bill when considered cumulatively. Energy efficiency is all about consistency—small steps like turning off devices, unplugging chargers, or switching to energy-efficient appliances gradually add up, easing the burden on both your wallet and the environment.
By switching off the WiFi router at night for a few hours, you can save some euros on your light bill. However, for this trick to be effective, it is important to change an important habit in your daily routine.
If you’re looking for effective ways to reduce the electricity bill, you’re likely to be familiar with several common strategies. You may be considering limiting the use of certain appliances, such as air conditioning or switching to LED bulbs.
However, many of these options can be quite radical and affect your day-to-day life in ways that are not always convenient. But there’s another option that may not have passed through your mind, and it’s to turn off the WiFi router at night.
Although it’s not common practice, doing so can help you save more than you imagine. Not only is it beneficial to your pocket, but it also contributes to energy savings in general, especially at a time when efficiency is more important than ever.
Other Simple Tips to Cut Down Your Energy Bill
If you’re looking for additional ways to save on your electricity bill without compromising comfort, consider these simple strategies:
- Use LED Lighting: LED bulbs consume significantly less energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, providing long-term savings.
- Unplug Chargers: Chargers left plugged in continue to draw power even when not in use, adding to your energy costs.
- Limit Use of Energy-Hungry Appliances: Devices like air conditioners and heaters consume much power. Reducing their use where possible can make a big difference.
- Install Smart Plugs: Smart plugs can automatically cut off power to appliances when they’re not needed, giving you better control over energy use.
Hidden consumption of the router
It is common for the router to remain on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as this device is essential to keep all your devices connected, from the TV to the mobile to tablets and other smart devices.
But it’s easy to overlook that, as it’s always on, the router is constantly consuming energy. Although its consumption is not high compared to other appliances, its average ranges from 10 watts per hour; the sum over months may surprise you.
When running for 720 hours a month, energy consumption accumulates rapidly. For this reason, if you decide to shut down your router for about 8 hours each night before sleeping, you would be reducing your time of use by about a third per day.
What is WPS?
It is equivalent to a monthly saving of approximately 4.5 kWh. According to the calculations, this can translate into about 11 euros per year, depending on the electric rate you have contracted, as well as the router model, as some consume more energy than others.
This small gesture may seem insignificant, but if you combine it with other energy-saving practices, the accumulated total can be much more considerable. In addition, over the months, these small decisions can have a significant impact on your light bill.
Conclusion: A Small Change for Big Benefits
The idea of turning off your WiFi router every night might seem trivial, but the savings can be more than you imagine. Not only do you reduce your electricity bill, but you also contribute to broader energy efficiency goals. Combined with other simple energy-saving measures, this habit can help make a difference—both for your finances and for the planet.
