When your electricity bill arrives, you might find yourself wondering, “Why is it so high? I’m sure I didn’t use that much electricity!” It’s a common thought, but the answer might surprise you. While we often blame our air conditioners for a high bill, there’s a sneaky culprit in many homes that consumes a shocking amount of power: the set-top box.

The Set-Top Box: A Hidden Energy Drain

The set-top box (STB) is a real “electricity thief.” This small device, which you might not even think about, can actually use more electricity than a large appliance like an air conditioner. The truth is, it’s always working, even when you think it’s off. When you turn off your TV with the remote, the STB doesn’t fully shut down. Instead, it goes into a standby mode, where it continues to draw a significant amount of power.

What’s even more surprising is that the amount of power an STB uses in standby mode is nearly the same as when it’s actively running. This means that if you don’t turn off the main power switch, the set-top box is constantly draining electricity, as if it were on 24/7.

The Solution:

Turn off the power switch on the set-top box when it’s not in use.
Use a power strip with a switch to completely cut off the electricity to the device when you’re not using it.

By taking these simple steps, you can drastically reduce energy waste and lower your monthly electricity bill.