Imagine this: you switch off your smart light from your phone or with a simple “Hey Google, turn off the lights,” and then you start wondering — is it really off? Or is it still using electricity in the background? It’s natural to be concerned, because nobody likes the idea of paying for electricity that they don’t think they’re using, especially now when energy costs are climbing.
Why does this matter? This is because in Malaysia, lighting is one of the most used household energy sources. If people think that smart lights consume unnecessary electricity when off, they may feel hesitant to switch. But the truth is, smart lights are designed to be energy-saving lights, even when in standby mode. Being transparent about this helps you make a confident decision and enjoy the benefits of a modern smart home.
1. “Off” Means Standby Mode
When you turn off a smart light through the Yeelight app or voice command, the smart lights stop emitting light but remain in standby mode. This allows it to stay connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth so that it can respond instantly when you switch it on again. It is like your TV at home — even when the screen is off, the little red light shows it’s still ready to receive your remote signal. Similarly, your smart light system stays quietly connected in the background. For example, your smart ceiling light in the bedroom may look completely off, but it’s ready to brighten up the room when you say, “Hey Google, lights on.”
2. Standby Power Is Very Small
When a smart light is “off,” it does use a little bit of power in standby mode — but the amount is so small that most people never notice it on their bill. The standby usage is typically under 0.5 watt, making it only around 3 to 4 kilowatt-hours of electricity per bulb. With TNB’s average residential tariff of about RM 0.50 per kWh, that works out to around RM2 per year for one bulb. By comparison, keeping an old 60-watt incandescent bulb on for 5 hours every day could cost you more than RM 55 a year. So while smart lights do sip a tiny bit of power when “off,” the savings from switching to energy-efficient LEDs far outweigh that small standby cost.
3. Energy Standards Limit Standby Use
Around the world, regulators are pushing for lower standby consumption, and most manufacturers follow these standards. Programs like the “One Watt Initiative” by the International Energy Agency (IEA) limit how much energy devices can use when idle,with standby power-use by any appliance to no more than 0.5 watts in 2013. For instance, Yeelight designs its products to stay well below this threshold, such as the model Yeelight’s W4 Smart Bulb, consuming only 0.2-0.5 W in standby. This means peace of mind, as your smart lighting system isn’t secretly draining electricity.
4. Why Standby Power is Necessary
Many people wonder why smart lights need to use electricity when it’s “off.” It is because the lights must always stay connected so that it can respond instantly to your commands. Think of it like your smartphone when the screen is locked — it looks inactive, but it’s still alert, waiting for a message, call, or alarm. Smart lights work the same way. They keep a very small trickle of power flowing to maintain their Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee connection. This tiny stream of energy allows the light to receive signals the moment you tap the app, set an automation, or use a voice assistant. Without standby power, the convenience and smart features that make these lights special simply wouldn’t work.
5. When Power Is Cut from the Wall
Of course, there’s always the option to completely cut power to your smart light by flipping the wall switch or unplugging the lamp. In this state, the light uses absolutely no electricity. The trade-off is that the light loses access to schedules, automations, and remote control until power is restored. Imagine you’ve set your Yeelight lights to slowly brighten in the morning to act as a wake-up light. If someone turns off the wall switch at night, that feature won’t activate. This is why most smart light users keep the wall switch on and control the lights through the app or voice assistants instead. It’s a small change in habit, but it ensures you get the full benefit of the technology.
6. Multiple Bulbs Still Use Very Little
Another concern for homeowners is whether standby usage adds up when you have multiple smart bulbs. Even with several bulbs, the combined standby use is still minimal compared to other devices in the home. For example, ten Yeelight bulbs in standby mode may use about the same amount of energy as keeping a single small LED night light on. To put this into perspective a Wi-Fi router typically runs all day and can use between 5–10 watts of power. Compared to this, the standby usage of multiple smart bulbs is almost negligible. So whether you have one bulb in your bedroom or a dozen spread across your home, the overall impact on your monthly electrical bill is still very small.
7. Efficiency is Improving
The good news is that smart lighting technology is getting more efficient. Older smart lights could consume close to 1 watt in standby. Today, brands like Yeelight have managed to reduce this figure till 0.3 watts while also improving brightness and connectivity. This means you’re getting more features for less energy. Looking forward, the trend is clear that manufacturers are working hard to shrink standby power even further. This means that upgrading to newer lights doesn’t just add smarter features — it also makes your home more energy-efficient over time. That’s the direction smart lighting is heading, making it an even smarter choice for families who want comfort without worrying about wasted electricity.
So, do smart lights consume electricity when off? Yes — but only a very small amount, thanks to standby mode. This tiny usage is necessary for the lights to stay responsive to your commands.
Ready to transform your home into a smarter, energy-saving space today? Schedule a free lighting plan and visit the Copper Connect showroom! Our lighting expert will help you design an efficient lighting plan and show you how smart lights can make your home brighter, safer, and more energy-efficient.