Kettle Using Electricity When Plugged In But Not Switched On?

[1581960]

I've been told today that if you leave the kettle plugged into the wall socket it uses electricity even if you don't switch it on, is this correct? and if it is, what is happening and how much electricity is being used.
Many thanks for any enlightenment.

[ToraToraTora]

No.

[Atheist]

I presume that if it is a simple kettle without a pilot light or standby mode (and why would it have such things?) then it won't use any electricity. If in doubt, then turn it off at the plug (or unplug it). Simple solution.

[bobbinwales]

I read on a energy saving ideas site it costs around 0.2p an hour so thats 5pva day if you leave it plugged in all day

[ToraToraTora]

how if it's not switched on at the plug?

[bobbinwales]

Another site gives a lower figure of £2 a year.
Its low but all these vampire device's can add up to a few pounds a month

[ToraToraTora]

bob, how? It's not switched on at the plug is it?

[bobbinwales]

The question says the kettle is not on, it doesnt say the plug is switched off. Some kettles have a small light or are on standby

[bobbinwales]

Just google it- lots of sites have talked about vampire devices... its only tiny amounts but can addup over your house. Kettles are not a big problem but some do still use abit, microwaves, printers on standby, TV's on standby can be worse

[ToraToraTora]

ok I thought: "...plugged into the wall socket it uses electricity even if you don't switch it on" - meant the switch on the plug socket.

[1581960]

Thanks guys,
We leave our kettle plugged in and switched on at the wall socket, I had always assumed that when the kettle turned itself off when the water boiled it stopped using power, perhaps this is wrong but I find it difficult to understand how it can continue to use power. Does this phantom load apply to everything?

[Buenchico]

I can think of no reason why a kettle would need to have a 'standby mode', which would be the only reason that it (or, more likely, its base unit if it's cordless) would be drawing current from the mains when it's not switched on.

There seems to be some sort of a MYTH going around which says that kettles draw current whenever they're plugged in, which is getting picked up by the media and being reported as fact. (e.g. here: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/switching-your-tv-kettle-not-7747196 ). However I can see absolutely no reason why a 'bog standard' electric kettle would ever do so.

[1581960]

The kettle doesn't have a light indicator to show it is receiving power.

[ToraToraTora]

only if there is something like a standby as on on the TV for example. Or a small light like bob is talking about.

[Atheist]

158... Just turn off the switch on the socket. End of... as some would say. Let's not make a meal of it.

[Togo]

It is possible depending on the make and model. Surprisingly enough the more expensive ones could use miniscule amount of power when not in use. If they have a standby light or a chip that monitors the on switch being activated. You would probably use more juice plugging and unplugging if there is no switch on the wall socket to isolate from the ring main. If you have a router, smart tv, digital box, microwave with clock display, electric or gas cooker with clock display, plugged in phone charger or laptop charger(not charging an appliance) and a myriad of other household goods then you are using more electricity than a plugged in kettle. The best thing you could do is switch your ears off when the psychological nudge teams start to speak.

[Atheist]

Togo:
" The best thing you could do is switch your ears off when the psychological nudge teams start to speak."
What's wrong with turning off the switch? No need for indignation about the 'psychological nudge teams' (whatever they are).

[1581960]

Just a thought, do any of you have a smart meter that could detect a current flow when the wall socket switch with a kettle plugged in is turned on and off?

[Togo]

As an afterthought ... every appliance that has been given the flattering label "smart" by the people who sell them is not being smart on your behalf. Those are the appliances that are the most energy hungry and costly to run. The same principle can be applied to certain "advisers" who consider themselves smart but who in reality have no technical or practical knowledge of the subject under discussion. See above^^.

[Togo]

For 20.02 I will repeat!

// You would probably use more juice plugging and unplugging if there is no switch on the wall socket to isolate from the ring main.//

[1581960]

Are you saying plugging in and unplugging is different to switching the wall socket off and on? It's not easy to see why this would be so.