Settle this for me, in your house DO you or do you NOT...

[SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies]

Leave the TV on standby? As in if you know you're not going to be using it again for the next few hours / days do you switch it off via remote control or do you switch off the actual plug?

Go...

This

Standby because I’m sick of hearing about it from the OH if I turn it off at the wall…

i switch it/them (everything) off at the wall…. A colleague I worked closely with, left his new tv on standby, he popped to the shop, within 30mins his son called for him to get home, the fire brigade were in attendance extinguishing his house. The whole place gutted. TV started it… it’s a pain to switch it all off at night/when going out/not In use, and also to be fastidious about plugs, but I saw the devastation for this guy and his family, my kids do the same, as it’s all they’ve ever known

Quoting fail - i use the button on the side like the poster up thread. I'm amazed the number of people who don't realise TVs have a button on the side of them to turn them off.

Standby unless going on holiday

Off at the wall every night and if we leave the house. Only on standby if likely to be used again very shortly.

Off at the socket mostly, as I don’t watch a lot of TV. I leave it on standby during the Olympics or the like.

Remote control plug to switch off the TV.

If we weren't using that it'd be a smart plug. Our Tapos use 0.64W when off. So not as much as a PP notes (though when on, it's a whole watt more).

Lots of things can start fires though. Reminds me, I must hoover the back of the fridge as it's been a few months!

Standby coz the plug is a pita to get to.
Although Ive also been known to leave my desktop computer on overnight and all day as well so its a wonder Im still alive!

Standby during the day. I use to leave it on overnight as well but my DH turns everything off so now I switch it off at the socket when going to bed if I'm the last one up.

Always standby. DH won’t hear of anything else.

My smart TV, an LG, is 14 years old and didn't come with phone remote control. Still a fab TV so many years later.

Ditto

Mostly off at the wall, but it only goes on once or twice a week if that.

Off at the wall.

Turn the whole thing off at the mains.

Looking at the first page only, I'm staggered by how many tv's don't seemingly have power buttons anymore!

Ours has a power button on the TV that we use overnight. If it's been on and we're going out in the day we might just leave it on the red light, but more often than not we'll switch it off.

Wouldn't ever switch it off at the plug though.

I use the remote during the day and switch off the tv set last thing at night. Only ever switch off at the wall if there's a problem and Sky/WiFi needs rebooting, etc.
Muy in-laws used to switch theirs off at the plug every night.

Standby usually but I turn it off at the wall now and then if I feel like the tv needs a little rest.

Off at the plug but only because I’m paranoid my kittens will try and chew the wire and electrocute themselves! Before that, standby.

I leave it on standby during the day if I'm in the house. If going away on holiday I'll switch it off at the wall. I usually switch it off at the wall at night too. I think this stems from reading a story of someone's house catching fire because their TV was left on standby and I'm probably being too paranoid that it could happen to me.

That is simply not true!!

Switched off at the wall every night and when going out.

Personally I just turn it off on the remote control but I believe current best practice is

Scenario Recommendation
Short overnight period - Standby is fine, especially for Smart TVs
Extended absence (holiday) - Unplug completely for safety
During thunderstorms - Unplug to avoid surge damage
Concerned about energy cost - Turn off at mains if practical
Using scheduled recordings - Leave on standby to avoid failures

Energy Consumption & Cost

• Modern TVs on standby use very little power—typically between 0.1 to 5 watts per hour, depending on the model.
• However, standby mode can still cost up to £24.53 annually in electricity bills if left on constantly.
• Turning off at the mains eliminates this "vampire power" draw entirely.

Functionality & Software Updates

• Many Smart TVs perform software updates and maintenance tasks overnight while in standby mode.
• These updates can improve performance and fix bugs. If you unplug the TV, it may miss these updates.
• OLED TVs, in particular, may run panel maintenance cycles in standby to prevent screen burn-in.

Safety Considerations

• Fire services often recommend unplugging devices overnight to reduce fire risk, especially if you use extension cords or have older equipment.
• That said, modern TVs are generally safe and include built-in fuses and circuit protection.

Lifespan & Wear

• Standby mode may cause minor wear over time, but frequent power cycling (on/off at the mains) can also stress components like the backlight.
• The impact on lifespan is usually marginal, unless you're turning it off and on repeatedly throughout the day.

If your TV is modern and you're not worried about the tiny energy cost, leaving it on standby is generally OK. But if you're keen to save every watt or want peace of mind, switching off at the mains is still the safest and most energy-efficient option.

Standby, but we have solar panels and batteries, so it has no impact on our electricity bills.