Save energy with FRITZ!

AVM Content

We're all talking about how we can save energy right now. The FRITZ!DECT 200 and 210 smart plugs support you with helpful measuring features and automated switching schedules. It's particularly easy to prevent unwanted power consumption from devices in standby or from chargers. We explain how it all works in this guide.

Power consumption in standby: Detect it and switch it off

Many devices cannot be switched off completely, they only go into standby mode and consume several watts of electricity – for doing nothing. Many chargers for smartphones, notebooks or e-bikes consume a few watts, even if they're not charging anything.

The problem: The small amounts end up being noticeable in the annual consumption.

The solution: detect phantom consumption with your FRITZ! smart plug and disconnect chargers from the mains with an automatic switch.

Step 1: Measure standby consumption

Plug your FRITZ!DECT 200 or 210 into the wall outlet and connect the device to be checked. Switch on the device and use it for a short time so that your FRITZ!Box can measure the consumption data. With the FRITZ!App Smart Home you monitor the performance in real time.

Now turn off the device and observe the effects on power consumption in the app. If consumption is unexpectedly high, it's a good idea to take measures against standby consumption.

Step 2: Save energy by reducing standby power

Devices can often be configured in such a way that they actually consume less in standby. For example, turn off any quick start options or change the device's power mode. Check the results with the FRITZ!App Smart Home.

With a FRITZ!DECT 200 or 210 smart plug you tackle your standby vampires head on: You can switch off all devices connected to one of the FRITZ! plugs at the touch of a button using the FRITZ!DECT 440, FRITZ!Fon or FRITZ!App Smart Home.

Particularly practical: With "automatic switching" you switch off the power as soon as the current power consumption falls below a certain level, for example when the charger has finished charging. You can find the automatic switching in the FRITZ! plug's settings in the FRITZ!Box user interface. For the automatic switching to be permanently active, your FRITZ! plug must remain connected to the FRITZ!Box.

Additional information

You can find a practical example in our article "Charge your e-bike battery the right way": With your FRITZ!Box and the FRITZ!DECT 210 smart plug, you measure the charging current and switch off the charger when charging is complete.

Keep in mind that some devices should not be disconnected from the mains. The best way to turn off your computer is to use the options in the operating system. Another example: Modern OLED TVs use standby times to regenerate the display in order to increase the service life.

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