Product Update 8.14.2: Cut Standby Appliance Energy Costs with Voltaware’s Home Audit
We are happy to share one of our last updates yet. It offers a smarter and easier way to see how standby devices are quietly raising your energy bills.
With our new Standby Insights and Home Audit tools, Voltaware helps you reduce energy bills, unplug appliances on standby, and make small adjustments that have a lasting impact on both your wallet and the planet.
Standby energy, also called vampire or phantom load, is the small amount of electricity used by devices. This happens even when they are turned off or in low-power mode. Think TVs with a red light, phone chargers left in sockets, or printers left in sleep mode.
It may seem small, but these background drains can quietly cost households over £500 each year. That’s what we are here to help you fix.
Voltaware standby and home audit update
What’s New: Clear Standby Insights in the Voltaware App
With our latest release (v8.14.2), the Voltaware app now includes a Standby Insights Dashboard - your personal hub for understanding and acting on unused power draw.
Here’s what’s included:
We calculate how much you could save by addressing standby energy in your home. In real cases, users save £69–100 per year simply by switching off unused appliances.
This figure reflects your real consumption data. It tells you how much you’re currently spending on power that’s going to waste - like a slow leak in your energy bill. It’s eye-opening, and it brings visibility to a problem that’s often ignored.
Your score out of 100 shows how your household compares to an efficient average. The score is calculated using your unique usage patterns, and you’ll get clear suggestions on how to improve.
Think of it as your “energy efficiency credit score” - only more actionable.
A Smarter Home Audit: Quick, Simple, and Personalised
Alongside the new insights, we’ve introduced a brand-new feature: the Voltaware Home Audit.
This step-by-step tool takes you through 8 key areas of your home - such as the living room, kitchen, garage, and bedrooms - to help identify devices that quietly consume power while on standby.
✅ How It Works:
It’s not about perfection - it’s about awareness and progress.
What You'll Discover
Each room is carefully tailored to highlight the most common standby offenders. While we don’t want to spoil all the details (we want users to explore the tool!), here are a few examples:
These devices may seem harmless, but many continue drawing power as long as they’re plugged in- even if they’re not being used.
No Changes? Still Useful.
Even if you go through the audit and don’t turn anything off, you still gain value. The app will show you smart, generalised recommendations to help reduce standby waste across your home.
For example:
These quick wins are accessible to everyone and don’t require deep technical knowledge or investment. They’re ideal for renters, families, and anyone looking to build better habits.
Why It Matters: How Much Energy Do Appliances Use on Standby?
You might be wondering: is it really worth switching off or unplugging things?
The answer: absolutely.
Many devices continue to draw 1-10 watts per hour on standby. This might not sound like much, but across dozens of devices and over a year, the impact adds up.
Here’s how:
Voltaware gives you visibility over all of this. It helps answer questions like:
These are real concerns - and now, you have tools to act on them.
How to Get Started
It’s simple:
You’ll get instant feedback and a clear picture of where your energy is going.
Why This Update Matters Now
With rising electricity costs and growing interest in sustainable living, every bit of energy saved matters - for your budget and for the environment.
This update helps you:
All without buying additional hardware or changing your lifestyle drastically.
It’s part of our mission to make energy monitoring more useful, human, and actionable.
What’s Coming Next?
We’re not stopping here. Here’s what’s on the horizon:
We’re focused on building features that not only inform, but empower you to take action.
Summary: Reduce Energy Bills, Unplug Appliances, Standby Power Sorted
If you’re looking to reduce energy bills, unplug appliances on standby, and make smarter energy choices without complicated tech - this update is for you.
Try the new Standby Insights and Home Audit in the Voltaware app today.
It’s quick, easy, and built around helping you save.