Your devices don’t just use power when they’re fully “On” or fully “Off.” With our new Standby state, you can fine-tune how smart plug and dedicated circuit devices appear in the app—giving you more accurate visibility into what matters most.
Take a smart TV, for example:
- Always On: 1–2W while idle but still plugged in
- On: ~100W while you’re watching
- Standby: 10–20W for brief wake-ups (like software updates or refreshing content)
Standby is that in-between state—not quite Off, not quite Always On, but not fully On either.
Why does this matter? Because these small, unpredictable spikes can clutter your energy view, making it harder to see the real energy hogs.
Setting Your Standby to On Threshold
This threshold tells Sense when a device should be considered “On” (and show a bubble).
- Above the threshold: Device is On → bubble appears
- Below the threshold: Device is in Standby → no bubble, but status visible in Devices
Tips for setting it:
- Look at the Power Meter to find the “big spikes” when your device is truly in use
- Ask yourself: Do I want to track every little watt, or only when the device is doing meaningful work?
- Default is 8W, which works well for most devices—but you can adjust for your own setup
Setting Your Minimum On/Off Duration
Some devices create quick spikes or dips that could trigger unwanted On/Off events. The Minimum On/Off Duration helps filter those out.
- Set a duration: Only events lasting longer than this will trigger a bubble or notification
- Tradeoff: Notifications will be delayed by the same amount of time
- Check the Power Meter for short blips or dips
- Default is 5 seconds, but adjust based on your preference—see every tiny change, or just the big events
Things to Know
- Standby only applies to devices on compatible smart plugs and dedicated circuits
- Defaults are designed to work well for most users, but experimentation is encouraged
- The right settings help you cut through the noise and focus on what’s really driving your energy use