Unplugging Modem And Router

This may have been asked before, but I did a search both here and on Google and couldn't find a reliable answer: Is it ok to unplug my modem and router when not in use? Does it affect the life of either? The modem is a new Arris SB6141 and the router is a Belkin N...about 2-3 years old.

Thank you.

 

Definitely not a good idea unless you are not using them for a very extended time. Shutting down a router/modem every day, or even several times a week will unnecessarily mess with the internet connection from the ISP.
Why would you even want to?

 

With xDSL it's probably a good idea not to disconnect the modem unnecessarily, with cable (as this appears to be) and a fixed IP, it might be less of an issue, check with your supplier.

In either case, as you have separate units, your internal computers/network would be safe with the modem disconnected from the router, or the router switched off (no network!).

 

Thank you for the quick replies. I'm just trying to save electricity--every little bit helps--but if it affects the life of the units, I wouldn't save in the long run, obviously. Yes, it's cable internet.

 

I have the same modem but a different router and I never unplug them. They really do not consume much energy when just sitting there so the savings would be negligible at best.

But I recommend you leave them on because of the above mentioned issues - IP assignments - especially that from your ISP which is not likely static (fixed).

In fact, I have mine powered through my UPS so my network stays up during a full power outage just to avoid any conflicts with IP assignments. If you have a networked printer and you have not assigned a static IP to it, then after power comes up after an outage, the printer may grab a different IP address from your router. This results in all your computers previously setup to print to that network port (which is based on IP addresses) will fail to print. This same issue can result on network attached storage (NAS) devices becoming inaccessible too.

Another disadvantage is W10 and your security programs may not be able to stay updated. And keeping our operating systems and security programs updated is one the best way to keep safe.

So to answer your question, is it "ok"? Yes, it is "ok" - that is, you are not likely to cause damage or shorted the lifespan of these devices. But is unplugging them the best course of action? I would say, no - unless you will be away from home for a couple weeks - or expect some severe, lightning storm producing weather.

BTW, I just figured out the "maximum" my modem can cost me to run 24/7/365, based on use current US national average of 12.1¢ per kilowatthour.

The modem's power supply output is rated at 12V, 750mA. In DC circuits, W = VA so 12 x .75 = 9W. That's the maximum my modem draws. So that's .009kW.

.009 x 24 = .216kWh (kilowatt hours) per day.
.216 x 365 = 98.84kWh per year.
98.84 x $.121 = $9.54 per year (2.61¢ per day).

And actually, it is less than that because power supplies are always rated higher than what the device needs. And also (at least for me here in Nebraska), the average cost per kWh is 9.43¢ - over 2¢ less.

My router uses about twice that of the modem, so about $15 per year.

Refrigerators are our biggest energy hogs. Then come air conditioners, ovens, and electric clothes dryers. As far as energy hogs when in standby mode, believe it nor, DVR players are some of the worst.

 

Thank you Digerati for your detailed reply. I appreciate your taking the time to do all that figuring! Unfortunately (whereas it's usually fortunate) I live on Kauai where we pay probably the highest rate in the nation: .32 according to my last bill.

After reading all the replies, I guess I'll leave the modem on and keep unplugging the router every night.

 

That isn't even a remotely useful area for saving electricity. Most energy suppliers have useful guides to what uses and appliances you should focus on and a router or modem isn't likely to be at the bottom of the list let alone high up.

 

Yeah, 32¢ per kWh is high, for sure. But again, those are maximum numbers based on the capability of the supplies, not what the actual modem and router are consuming - which will be less (often significantly less) the vast majority of the time.

If you want to save energy costs with your computer, make sure you have the newest hardware as it tends to more powerful while consuming less energy and generating less heat than older generation hardware. Moving to SSDs will save money too, as well as using LED backlit monitors instead of the older CCFL and inverter monitors.

And yeah, CRT monitors and TVs are real energy hogs. But they do help keep the house warm!

 

Yes, I know it's a miniscule amount of savings, but I've always lived by "take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves," and it's paid off over the years. I'm also aware of the bigger energy-eaters, not just the small.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions!

 

Well, you are absolutely right that pennies do add up to dollars pretty quickly. And when it comes to electronics today that is even more so. I find it ironic that electronics are WAY more efficient today than they were even just a few years ago. But also today, everything seems to have a stand-by mode with internal (or external clocks) and sensors for remote controls, or just for instant-on features. Many devices today have small dedicated computers that stay on full time. Microwave ovens, TVs/monitors, disk players, computers, DVRs, programmable coffee pots, even washers and dryers. Most of these stand-by modes consume less than 3 watts, but many can be 5, 10 or even 30 watts. Before long you may think you are burning no energy but it does not take long to add up to the equivalent of keeping a 100 or 200w lightbulb burning all the time.

 

Yes old fashioned light bulbs (tungsten filament) use quite a lot electricity (they're now illegal for sale in the EU). Keeping unneeded things like TVs, VCRs, DVDs on standby all the time mounts up the cost. Keeping a charger (for tablets, phones and such things) plugged in and on uses electric even if the cord isn't plugged into the device! The only things I leave on are the fridge/freezer, DVR because it records programs when I'm not around, my router and the central heating control system. I pay about the equivalent of 14c per KWh for electric. But my cooking and heating is Natural Gas.
Water is a big expense in the UK but since we had a metre installed our monthly cost has halved as we have a few water butts (a lot of rain here!) and all washing water waste goes on the garden!

 

Most are now illegal or being phased out here too. But you can still find some special purpose ones.

Yeah, I used to live in Mildenhall, East Anglia - so I know about the rain. That said, we've had a bunch of rain over the last couple days (about 5 inches) and a tornado touched down about 10 miles from here near Boys Town in Omaha so I am ready for it to dry out again. Fortunately, it was a weak tornado this time and did little damage.

 

Is it true that some towns/cities had free water? My friend from Sacramento grumbled that "they're charging us for water now!" That surprised me since we've always paid for water in Hawaii, although it was much much cheaper a decade ago (under $20 a month..now it's triple that).

 

I have never heard of free water. It costs a lot of money to ensure water is safe to drink. I would think this is even more true in California where, even after all the rain they have had lately, most of the state is still in a drought. Even catching rain or snow in your mouth is probably not a safe thing to do. I suspect your friend is confused and probably lived somewhere where water was included in the rent.