Most of us leave our appliances, game consoles, monitors, computers and chargers plugged in without giving them a second thought. But many of these devices, even when turned off or left in standby mode, are still drawing small amounts of electricity. Over the course of a year, this “phantom load” (or “vampire energy”) can account for five to 10 percent of the average home’s energy use and cost a household an extra $100 to $200 in electricity bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Luckily for consumers, manufacturers have gotten better at designing modern appliances that cut down on drain. Most devices today use significantly less standby energy than those from a decade or two ago. But that doesn’t mean phantom load has disappeared, or that we should dismiss it as insignificant, especially if you still own older devices. “Every electron saved is a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions that we worry about from a climate change perspective,” says Alexis Abramson, dean of Columbia’s Climate School. “If every household in the country reduced their consumption just a bit, the total energy saved could help mitigate the climate crisis.”
Here, some of the biggest energy offenders that might be secretly costing you money and energy, and how to save on both.
The Biggest Culprits
Gaming consoles. An Xbox or PlayStation left in instant-on mode, which allows for quick startup and background downloads, can use almost as much power as when you’re playing a game. Even in sleep mode, these devices continue drawing power, though much less so, to maintain network connections and check for updates.
Desktop computers and monitors. These are among the worst offenders, even when left off or in sleep mode, if they’re still plugged in. Peripherals like printers, scanners, and speakers add to the drain.
Streaming devices, smart TVs and soundbars. Though not as much a drain as cable boxes, streaming devices like Fire Sticks and smart TVs in standby mode, especially when found in multiple rooms in the house, can collectively add up. Several years ago the Natural Resources Defense Council calculated that people who bought a smart TV in 2021 and enabled its smart wake feature would end up paying an additional $750 million on their utility bills over the next seven years. Even more staggering: that extra consumption is leading to an additional 3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Microwaves, toasters and coffee makers. That glowing clock on your microwave? It’s costing you money every hour of the day, even if you only use the microwave itself for a few minutes daily. Same with digital clocks or displays on coffee makers or other small appliances.
Chargers for phones, tablets and laptops. These continue drawing power even when nothing’s connected to them, though likely a minimal amount. But most homes have multiple chargers scattered throughout—kitchen counters, bedside tables, home offices—and those small drains can add up.
Smart home devices like voice-controlled speakers are always listening or watching, which means always consuming power. Individually they may not use much, but homes with multiple smart devices throughout could see their phantom load accumulate.
Five Easy Fixes to Cut Down on Your Phantom Load
Use smart power strips. Smart strips cut power to devices when they’re not in use, making them one of the most effective tools for reducing vampire energy. Many are designed to detect when a main device (like a TV) is turned off or goes into standby mode and will automatically cut power, while others can be programmed wirelessly to shut off power during hours the devices don’t need to be in use. Also, buy separate power strips for things that need to stay on all the time (like your modem and router), and those (like your TV and gaming console) that can be fully off when no one is around.
Unplug what you don’t use daily (or can easily plug back in during the day). Spare phone chargers, your microwave, air fryer, coffee maker, air purifier—anything you don’t need to have plugged in all the time or are not using regularly. This is particularly effective for seasonal items like air purifiers or space heaters that can sit idle for months.
Change your gaming console settings. Switch from instant-on to energy-saving mode. It may take your system slightly longer to start up, but newer consoles in energy-saving mode can use up to 90 percent less electricity than when they’re left in instant-on mode. Or better yet, fully power these consoles off at night.
Enable computer sleep settings. Configure your computer to sleep after a certain period of inactivity, and shut it down completely when you’re done for the day. You can do the same with monitors.
Purchase energy-saving electronics and appliances. When it’s time to buy a new refrigerator, TV, microwave, dishwasher or other appliance or device, make sure it’s been awarded an Energy Star label. That certification guarantees these products will use significantly less energy than standard models without sacrificing performance. That translates to savings in your monthly electricity bill, plus lower greenhouse gas emissions for our planet.
