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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is plug load in a laboratory?

Plug load is the energy drawn by every piece of equipment plugged into a socket - heat blocks, water baths, centrifuges, chargers, monitors, and the long tail of small devices that quietly consume power even when no one's using them. Plug load is one of the largest hidden contributors to lab energy waste because it doesn't show up on a single big-ticket item.

How much energy does idle laboratory equipment use?

Idle equipment can account for a significant share of a lab's plug-load energy because many devices draw power continuously even in standby. Heat blocks, water baths, and incubators are common offenders; collectively, equipment left on overnight and at weekends often consumes more energy than the same equipment uses during active experiments.

Which lab equipment should be switched off when not in use?

Heat blocks, water baths, shaking platforms, hot plates, monitors, chargers, and any equipment with a long warm-up but short active-use window are good candidates. Anything that needs continuous operation for safety (some incubators, ULTs, specific instruments mid-run) should stay on, but the default should be 'off when not in use'.

How do I tackle plug load in my lab?

Start by walking the lab at the end of the day and listing what's still drawing power. Use plug-in energy monitors to measure the worst offenders, then label them with simple 'switch off' or 'leave on' stickers. Pair the labelling with a short toolbox talk so the team knows why the habit matters.