Your Xbox now has a "carbon aware" feature—here’s how to turn it on

Microsoft has provided ways for gamers to save money and energy use via the Xbox’s power settings for generations of consoles. During the Xbox 360 days, Microsoft added sleep mode, which automatically turned off your console after being idle for a set period of time. Fast forward to the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Series One, and Microsoft has added yet another power-saving feature: a new “carbon aware” energy saving mode called Shutdown.

What makes Shutdown mode “carbon aware”?

Shutdown mode optimizes the console’s updates and downloads to run during a time when the console has access to the most renewable energy being supplied to the power grid. It’s automatically activated when you enable the new Shutdown (energy-saving) mode.

Once activated, Xbox will automatically schedule the best timeframe to provide updates for your games, apps, and the OS itself, which can result in lower carbon emissions. (My man Ron Popeil said it best—just “set it and forget it.”) According to Microsoft, this feature decreases reliance on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions, potentially saving you money on your electric bill.

How is this different from Sleep mode?

Sleep mode lets you leave your Xbox in a standby state that’s neither turned on nor off. You can boot up your console faster from sleep mode, as it never turns off completely. That means this mode uses significantly more power than Shutdown mode: (10-13 watts versus an astonishing 0.5 watts via Shutdown mode.)

Xbox’s Sleep mode has other benefits, like access to remote wake and remote downloads, starting games faster, remote downloads, and the ability to wake your console with your voice.

How do I turn on Shutdown mode?

As of February 2023, Shutdown mode is available on all Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. To utilize it, your console must remain plugged in and connected to the internet, and Shutdown mode must be turned on so the system can access regional carbon intensity data.

To turn on Shutdown mode, go to Settings under Profile and system. Select Power Options and select Shutdown mode (energy saving).

Is it worth using Shutdown mode?

According to Microsoft, when two consoles activate Shutdown (energy saving) for one year, that’s equivalent to the amount of carbon a tree can absorb over a decade. This alone won’t solve issues related to climate change, but it’s something.

The energy-saving features could also help lower your electric bill every month. Obviously, this depends on how long your console remains in Shutdown versus Sleep and how often you use your console. But hypothetically speaking, let’s say your power company charges $0.31 per kilowatt hour (kWh).

If your Xbox console was in Shutdown mode for 24 hours for a month straight and it needs 0.5 watts to stay in that mode, that comes out to a cost of $0.11 per month. In Standby mode, that would be $2.94 per month. So, if you’re looking for ways to shave even the smallest amount off your electricity bill, Shutdown mode should let you do just that.