Switch Off to Save: Tackling Plug Load in the Lab

When we think about energy use in laboratories, we often picture the big players such as ultra-low freezers, fume hoods, HVAC systems as we’ve touched on in previous blogs. But hiding in plain sight is a more subtle, yet significant contributor to lab energy waste: plug load. That’s the term for all the energy drawn by equipment simply plugged into a socket and in many labs, it’s quietly consuming power even when no one’s around.

Plug load: The hidden cost of idle equipment

Plug load accounts for a surprisingly large share of energy consumption in labs, sometimes up to 50% of total usage in equipment-heavy spaces. This includes benchtop instruments, computers, hot plates, centrifuges, and other devices that are left on or in standby mode 24/7.

The problem? Much of this energy use is avoidable. Many devices continue drawing power even when not in use, adding to your lab’s carbon footprint without delivering any value. It’s energy waste in its purest form.

Practical solutions for labs

Reducing plug load doesn’t require new equipment or funding, just a shift in practice. Here are three practical ways to reduce it:

🚦 Label and empower with a traffic light system

A simple colour-coded system helps everyone know what can be safely powered down:

• 🟢 Green: Anyone can switch off (e.g. water baths, heating blocks, idle computers)

• 🟠 Amber: Ask or check before switching off (e.g. shared instruments, data collection equipment)

• 🔴 Red: Never switch off unless authorised (e.g. safety-critical systems, long-running analyses)

Apply coloured stickers or tags directly to devices. This removes ambiguity and builds confidence around powering down.

⏲️ Use plug timers and smart switches

Programmable plug timers or smart sockets can turn off non-essential equipment outside working hours. For example, water baths and hot plates often run overnight unnecessarily, automating shutdowns can eliminate that waste.

📴 Create a shutdown culture

Introduce a rota for “shutdown champions” which could be a small weekly responsibility to check that lights, non-essential devices, and plug-load-heavy equipment are off at the end of each day or week. Include this as part of your lab’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and onboarding.

Why it matters for sustainability

Cutting plug load directly reduces your Scope 2 carbon emissions, those associated with purchased electricity. What’s more, reducing standby power helps prolong equipment life and reinforces a culture of mindful resource use. It’s a win for your lab, your budget, and the planet.

Action for the Week:

Choose a bench or lab space and list every item that’s plugged in. Work with your team to assign traffic light categories and explore which devices could be switched off, scheduled, or monitored. Over time, expand this practice across the lab.