Yes. Standby lets your remote wake the TV. Depending on the standby mode your set uses, it can also keep the network connection and background tasks running. The cost is a small amount of electricity. For most modern sets that cost is low, but some “quick start” modes use far more than the rest. Whether standby is worth it depends on which features you actually use.
“Standby” is not one state
ENERGY STAR separates standby into types. In standby-passive, the TV waits for a signal from a remote or an internal trigger. Standby-active modes can also respond to external signals or exchange data over a network (ENERGY STAR Televisions Version 7.1 Specification).
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The higher-activity standby mode may support:
- electronic program guide data
- TV setup data and channel-map updates
- firmware updates
- emergency communications and other network communications
So the choice is not simply “on versus off.” You are deciding whether you want the convenience or background function a given mode keeps alive, at that mode’s power draw.
What you get from leaving it in standby
- Remote wake-up. Even the lowest standby state lets the remote turn the set on.
- Faster start and network presence. Depending on your TV’s settings, these may be available. Examples are quick start and waking by phone or voice assistant (casting, for instance).
- Background maintenance. Guide data, channel maps and firmware can be refreshed while the screen is off, in modes that allow it.
Cut mains power completely and all of these stop until you power the TV back up.
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What it costs
| Figure | Value | Source and caveat |
|---|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR standby-passive limit | 0.5 W | ENERGY STAR key criteria; a qualification limit under a named test, not a guarantee for every configuration |
| ENERGY STAR standby-active limit, network-capable TVs | 1.0 W | Same source and caveat |
| Passive standby in most models sold after 2008 | Below 1 W | Fraunhofer USA, DOE-hosted 2022 presentation; historical data on more than 9,000 models, not sales weighted |
| Some quick-start active standby models | Over 10 W | Same presentation, which also says other models offer these functions at much lower power |
These are historical datasets and certification limits, not fresh measurements of current sets. Your TV’s real draw depends on its model, software and which functions are enabled. Because the range is so wide, you can’t say standby is always negligible or always wasteful.
Don’t turn whole-TV energy figures into standby savings
ENERGY STAR says certified televisions are about 34% more efficient on average than conventional models across sleep, idle and on modes (ENERGY STAR televisions). That figure covers the whole TV, not standby alone.
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The same caution applies to the Department of Energy’s purchasing example for a 54.5-inch LED TV. It compares 168 kWh/year for an ENERGY STAR model with 235 kWh/year for a less efficient one, or about $18 versus $26 a year. It assumes 1,825 active hours and 6,935 standby hours a year, five years of life, and 11 cents/kWh (federal-facility prices as of July 2024). It estimates $31 in lifetime savings under those assumptions (DOE FEMP, updated July 27, 2026). That is modeled whole-TV use, so it does not show what changing your standby habits would save.
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- List what you use. Do you rely on instant start, phone casting, voice wake or overnight updates? If not, you lose little by turning them off.
- Check the manual and power settings. Look for options named something like quick start, network standby or eco/power saving. Names vary by brand, so rely on your manual for the exact path.
- Measure if you’re curious. A plug-in watt meter can show your set’s draw in standby. Sub-watt readings are hard to measure, so don’t assume an inexpensive meter is accurate at those levels.
- Cut power only when it suits you. The DOE says: “In addition, plugging your TV and components into a smart power strip can prevent energy waste when the system is not powered on.” Cutting power disables standby-dependent functions. It also suits only devices that can safely lose power together, so a DVR or game console that needs to stay on shouldn’t share the strip. Check the manufacturers’ instructions first.
If you’re buying a new TV
You don’t need a new set to answer this question. If you are shopping, compare the passive and active standby specifications, which wake and network features are enabled by default, the exact ENERGY STAR model listing, screen size and expected viewing hours, and lifetime cost at your electricity rate. The DOE notes that smaller screens use less energy and points to LED-backlit LCDs, automatic brightness control and local dimming as efficiency factors.
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- 1080p resolution - View your favorite movies, shows and games in full high definition.
- Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
- DTS Virtual-X Sound - An immersive sound format creates a three-dimensional sound experience with your TV’s speakers.
- Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
The Bottom Line
Standby is worth keeping if you use remote wake, quick start or background updates. If you don’t, switch off the extra standby features or use a power strip. Check your own set’s settings, or measure it, before assuming either way.
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- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 24" flat screen TV with bright 720p HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
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