The oil industry's ability to respond quickly to higher demand for electricity may mean that estimates of carbon emissions caused by equipment left switched on are too low.
Researchers at Imperial College London explain that, when demand spikes, power produced by the coal, gas and oil industry can be raised to meet the higher requirements.
However, renewable energy sources may be less able to increase their output to meet the demand.
As a result of this, the mix of renewable and non-renewable energy in use can change over time, making estimates inaccurate.
The researchers believe that the impact of leaving lights on, or leaving televisions switched on at the mains, could be up to 60 per cent greater than is typically quoted.
Author of the study Dr Adam Hawkes adds that this means any small increase or reduction in energy demand can have an inflated impact on emissions - for bad or for good.
The study is published in the latest edition of Energy Policy, edited by Ram M Shrestha and Shobhakar Dhakal.
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