Here’s Why Status LEDs Are Your Downfall
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Tiny, colorful, and discreet – experts at going unnoticed. Status LEDs are the silent companions of our daily lives. They’re a key part of modern homes, which are filled with electrical devices and appliances. In fact, each of us lives in increasingly connected homes, surrounded by devices that use energy even when they are off, still, and temporarily forgotten.
Remember that status LEDs are those small lights that indicate if a device is on, in standby, or operating. Although a single LED uses very little energy, the cumulative consumption of all LEDs in a home adds up to a significant, often overlooked source of energy waste. It's estimated that in an average home, dozens of status LEDs remain on, even when the devices aren’t in use.
Reducing this hidden consumption not only lowers your bills, but also has a positive impact in several areas. It helps conserve natural resources, reduces harmful emissions, and even improves home comfort.
Status LEDs: The Light That Never Leaves You in the Dark
TVs, computers, vacuum cleaners, Wi-Fi routers, phone chargers, voice assistants, microwaves, electric toothbrushes, kettles, robot vacuums, coffee machines… Most of these devices stay in standby mode for most of the day. Yet their status LEDs remain constantly on, wasting energy unnecessarily.
There’s another important factor to consider. At night, in a dark room, these small lights can disrupt sleep quality or make it harder to fall asleep, breaking the atmosphere and intimacy of the home. While we may be used to their faint but constant glow, avoiding it could enhance our comfort.
Did you know that according to Phyllis Zee, neurologist and director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine at Northwestern University, the presence of light at night keeps the brain alert and makes it harder to reach the “deep sleep” phase?
Dr. Zee, as confirmed by a recent study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), states that “just one night of exposure to moderate room lighting during sleep can impair glucose regulation and cardiovascular function, which are risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. It’s crucial to avoid or minimize light exposure during rest.”
She explains that total darkness is ideal for sleeping. If that’s not possible, it’s important to avoid white or blue lights, keep them close to the floor, and as far from people as possible.
How to Manage These Silent Energy Consumers with Freedompro Solutions
Annoying for comfort and harmful for your wallet: status LEDs can and should be managed efficiently. But the truth is, turning off devices completely isn’t as simple as it sounds. Many modern appliances and connected devices don’t have an on/off button, so you’d have to unplug them from the socket.
However, power outlets are often located in awkward or hard-to-reach spots, like behind large cabinets or heavy furniture. This isn’t a practical solution!
The answer lies in Freedompro’s Smart Modules range, especially the Smart Outlet Modules: intelligent relays, Wi-Fi connected and Matter-certified, that allow you to manage energy directly from the socket by automating it, making even non-IoT devices smart.
What does that mean? Thanks to the Freedompro Home app, you can turn off or on the devices plugged into a socket with a simple tap on your smartphone screen. There’s no need to physically access the socket or the device. You can also automate when sockets turn on or off by setting a specific automation – or Habit, as we call it at Freedompro. From the couch, bed, or bath: wherever you are, you’ll have full control of your devices, avoiding unnecessary energy waste (which you can monitor in real time or historically via the new “Consumption” feature recently released) while enjoying a higher level of home comfort.
Finally, don’t forget that Smart Modules – like all of Freedompro’s Smart Modules range – are compatible with major home automation systems, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. This ensures integrated and personalized control of your spaces. With a simple voice command or tap on your smartphone, you can not only reduce energy consumption but also manage your home more intelligently and sustainably.
It’s time to cut the useless lights and the trouble they bring!