Energy vampires: The hidden costs draining your wallet

One of the scariest things you'll find in your home isn't in a closet or under the bed—it's lurking in your outlets, silently draining power and money year-round.

Energy vampires, also known as phantom loads or standby power, are devices that consume electricity even when turned off or not actively in use. That TV in standby mode, that phone charger plugged into the wall, that coffee maker with its glowing clock—they're all sipping power 24/7. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), standby power accounts for 5% to 10% of residential energy use and could cost the average U.S. household up to $183 per year.

The good news? You can fight back. By identifying the biggest culprits and taking a few simple steps, you can reduce phantom loads and put that money back in your pocket.

Not all appliances and devices stop using electricity when you flip the switch. Energy vampires are any electronics or appliances that continue to draw power even when they appear to be off. These phantom loads happen because many modern devices enter "standby mode" instead of shutting down completely.

Voice-activated devices continuously pull electricity to listen for your commands. Smart TVs stay ready to receive signals from your remote. Cable boxes record shows around the clock. Your laptop charger? It's using power even when your laptop isn't plugged in—if it feels warm to the touch when you get home, that's vampire energy at work.

The worst offenders are typically entertainment systems: TVs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, soundbars, and streaming devices. But energy vampires hide throughout your home in appliances with digital clocks, instant-on features, or remote control capabilities. If you're looking to lower your electricity bill, identifying these hidden drains is a great first step.

According to the DOE, standby power accounts for 5% to 10% of residential energy use. To understand what that means for your wallet, let's do the math:

The average American household uses 10,791 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. At the current average electricity rate of $0.17 per kWh, that's about $1,834 spent on electricity each year.

If 5% to 10% of that amount goes to standby power, you're spending roughly $92 to $183 per year powering devices that aren't actively in use. That's like throwing away an entire month's electric bill every year for no reason.

The actual cost varies depending on:

• Your local electricity rates (rates range significantly by state and utility)

• The number and types of devices in your home

• How many devices you leave plugged in

• The age of your appliances (older devices typically use more standby power)

Understanding which devices drain the most standby power helps you target your efforts. A 2015 study by the Natural Resources Defense Council identified the biggest offenders based on field audits of homes. Although this study is now about 10 years old—and newer appliances are likely more energy efficient due to improved standards—it still provides useful guidance on which device categories consume the most standby power.

According to the NRDC study, the devices with the highest always-on electricity costs included:

• Home systems and entertainment were among the top categories. Water recirculation pumps, desktop computers, televisions, and cable set-top boxes were identified as some of the highest standby power users. Cable boxes and DVRs, in particular, often remain in active standby mode to record scheduled programs and update channel guides. Gaming consoles, which weren't separately listed but fall into the entertainment category, similarly continue using electricity when "off" to enable quick startup.

• Audio and computer equipment also drew significant standby power. Audio receivers and stereos, along with printers, continued to draw electricity even when not actively in use.

• Kitchen and household appliances with digital displays or electronic controls also contributed to standby power use. Coffee makers with clocks and timers, microwaves, and even clothes dryers with electronic controls all draw some power continuously.

• Smart home devices, like security systems, voice assistants, and other connected devices, need constant power to function. While not detailed in the 2015 study, these devices have become more common since then.

It's important to note that standby power consumption varies significantly by device model and age. Also, many manufacturers have improved standby efficiency since 2015, especially with ENERGY STAR standards helping drive down phantom loads.

The first step to reducing phantom loads is identifying which appliances and devices continue pulling electricity when nominally off. Here's how to hunt down these energy vampires:

• Look for standby indicators. Devices with LED lights, digital clocks, or displays when "off" are definitely using power. That blinking clock on your microwave? Energy vampire. The red standby light on your TV? Energy vampire.

• Check for remote-ready features. If a device can be turned on with a remote control or smartphone app without manually pressing a power button, it's drawing standby power to listen for that signal.

• Feel for warmth. Touch chargers and power adapters that are plugged in but not charging anything. If they're warm, they're using electricity.

• Use a power meter. Devices like Kill-A-Watt meters let you plug in appliances and see exactly how much power they're drawing in real time, both during use and in standby mode. This can help you identify the worst offenders in your specific home.

• Get a home energy monitor. Whole-home energy monitors like Sense connect to your electrical panel and track your home's total energy consumption in real time. These monitors can identify phantom loads by showing you your baseline energy use when everything appears to be turned off. Many models include smartphone apps that break down energy use by device, making it easy to spot energy vampires. They can also provide comprehensive insights into your home's energy usage patterns beyond just phantom loads.

• Conduct a home energy audit. Many utilities offer free or low-cost energy audits that include identifying phantom loads. Professional auditors can spot energy waste you might miss and provide specific recommendations for your home. Learn more about the benefits of a home energy audit and how to schedule one.

Once you've identified your home's energy vampires, here's how to stop them from draining your wallet:

Unplug devices when not in use

The simplest and most effective solution is to unplug devices completely. If it's not connected to an outlet, it can't pull power from the grid. This works especially well for:

• Chargers for phones, laptops, and other devices

• Small kitchen appliances like blenders, toasters, and coffee makers

• Gaming consoles and other entertainment equipment in rarely used rooms

• Seasonal items like fans or space heaters during off-season

As the DOE notes, while some appliances (like refrigerators and alarm clocks) need to stay plugged in, many others don't.

Use smart power strips

Smart power strips make managing phantom loads much easier. These devices either automatically shut off power to connected electronics when they detect standby mode, or they include a master switch that cuts power to all plugged-in devices at once.

There are several types:

• Timer-based strips that turn off power at scheduled times

• Master-controlled strips that shut off peripheral devices when you turn off a main device (like shutting off your printer and speakers when you turn off your computer)

• Motion-sensor strips that turn off devices when no one's in the room

• Smart strips with apps that let you control power remotely from your phone

These strips typically cost $20-$50 and can significantly reduce your standby power consumption.

Choose energy-efficient appliances

When it's time to replace old appliances, look for ENERGY STAR certified products. These meet strict energy efficiency standards, including limits on standby power consumption. According to the DOE, many ENERGY STAR products have lower standby power than comparable non-ENERGY STAR products. You can browse energy-efficient appliances to learn more about making smart purchasing decisions.

Adjust device settings

Many devices have settings that can reduce standby power:

• Enable "quick start" or "instant on" features only when you actually need them

• Adjust sleep mode settings to minimize power draw

• Turn off "always listening" features on voice-activated devices when not needed

• Disable automatic updates that require constant power

Energy vampires may not be as scary as Halloween decorations, but they're definitely more expensive. These phantom loads could be costing you up to $183 per year—money that could stay in your pocket with just a few simple changes.

Start by identifying the biggest energy vampires in your home, then tackle them with smart power strips, strategic unplugging, and energy-efficient appliances. Combined with other energy efficiency measures like proper insulation and LED lighting, reducing phantom loads is a smart step toward significantly lower electric bills.

The best part? Unlike dealing with actual vampires, fighting energy vampires doesn't require any garlic or wooden stakes—just a little awareness and some simple action.