The shutters are closed, the trash is emptied, the windows have been checked three times… But what if you still forgot something essential? Every year, millions of French households leave their electrical appliances plugged in while on vacation. The result: an electricity bill that quietly inflates, and a few unnecessary risks. The good news? A few simple actions are all it takes to truly leave with peace of mind.
Why unplugging really makes a difference
We all know it: turning off a device is not the same as unplugging it. A TV on standby, a coffee maker with its tiny lit screen, a smart speaker waiting patiently… each one consumes energy, even when no one is home.
According to Ademe (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), devices on standby account for up to 15% of an electricity bill, excluding heating and hot water. That can easily exceed €100 per year in a well-equipped home. And beyond the money, a plugged-in appliance remains vulnerable to power surges, especially during summer thunderstorms. Might as well avoid that during a two-week absence.
