Make a simple manual comparison
Use Control Center or Wi-Fi settings to turn Wi-Fi off before one normal sleep interval, then turn it back on after waking. Record the battery change, timing, and whether the Mac was warm. Compare that session with similar sessions, rather than assuming one quiet night confirms a cause.
Wi-Fi off means network work cannot continue through that connection. Do not use this test if the Mac must remain reachable or if a backup, upload, or work service needs the network. A disrupted workflow is not a worthwhile diagnostic result.
Use a narrow WattGuard rule
WattGuard can combine a sleep condition with a Wi-Fi-off action while it is running, and restore rule state at the end. Use a single-purpose rule first. Do not pair it with unrelated app quitting or Bluetooth changes if you want to understand the result.
The automation does not schedule a hardware wake and does not guarantee that network activity caused the original problem. It coordinates the configured action only while the app is active. macOS network and sharing settings remain separate controls.
Review and decide
Compare the follow-up sleep with your normal pattern. WattGuard can show local sleep, wake, and charge observations, but it cannot establish exact battery savings or assign every wake to Wi-Fi. If the difference is not repeatable, restore your normal network behavior.
If disabling Wi-Fi consistently conflicts with your needs, investigate schedule entries, sharing, connected devices, and active apps instead. The goal is a workable routine, not keeping wireless features disabled indefinitely.