Vampire power is the invisible tax on your energy bill

You may not realize it, but many of our electronic devices—everything from TVs to refrigerators—are a lot more efficient than they used to be. Thanks to decades of innovation and energy standards, modern appliances generally sip far less electricity than their predecessors.

However, at the same time, our homes are now filled with gadgets in a state of perpetual connectivity. Sleep modes, standby modes, Wi-Fi modules, even the little digital clock on your microwave—they all consume power continuously. Taken alone, each device’s standby usage isn’t huge. But as more and more of our tech stays “always on,” the phenomenon known as vampire power (aka phantom load or standby power) has become a serious issue, quietly eroding the efficiency gains of recent years.

The big draw

On a case-by-case basis, vampire power may not seem like a big deal, but in aggregate it amounts to a major hidden cost. A widely cited study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that idle electronics and appliances cost Americans around $19 billion in electricity each year. That breaks down to roughly $165 per household annually, though in areas with high electricity rates, some households pay up to $440 a year just to power devices that aren’t in active use. Even the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that so-called phantom loads make up 5% to 10% of residential electricity use, potentially adding about $100 to your yearly bill in wasted power.

To give a sense of scale, the NRDC offered a memorable analogy: coffee. The average home’s always-on load uses the same amount of electricity as brewing 234 cups of coffee every single day for a year—over 85,000 cups of coffee annually. All that energy is being consumed for virtually no benefit to the user. And beyond the hit to your wallet, it’s also an environmental drag: roughly 100 billion kWh of electricity is wasted on vampire power each year, which translates to nearly 80 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The culprits

So, where is all this standby power going? The culprits are lurking all over your home. These days, it seems like everything has a digital display or wireless connection. Basic appliances that used to have simple analog controls—washers, dryers, ovens, fridges—now often feature electronic touchscreens, LED indicators, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The smart appliances of today (and tomorrow) are only getting more connected. That means even when they’re “off,” they may still be drawing a trickle of power to stay networked or maintain settings.

But it’s not just kitchen or laundry appliances. Entertainment and tech devices are major contributors to vampire power as well. In the mid-2010s, DVR cable boxes were reported to be the second-largest energy consumers in many homes. These units often ran around the clock—their hard drives constantly spinning, downloading program guides or updates—even when the TV was off. Fortunately, the cable industry has improved efficiency since then, but older boxes still in use may be silently draining power.

Another huge culprit: modern video game consoles. Today’s consoles are extremely powerful computers, and even their low-power standby modes can consume anywhere from a few watts to well over 10 watts continuously. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X in “Instant On” standby mode draws about 13 watts nonstop. That kind of standby draw, over 24 hours a day, adds up to roughly $15 to $20 to your bill annually. Sony’s PlayStation 5 and even Nintendo’s Switch have similar modes that, if configured poorly or left running, can also sip power all day.

Other culprits include your internet modem and Wi-Fi router, smart speakers, voice assistants, phone chargers, laptops, and any device that remains plugged in with a display or remote functionality. In a typical U.S. home, there are 50-plus electronics and appliances drawing power at any given time. Collectively, they can equal the energy use of a constantly running appliance or two.

The solution

Looking to save some money on your electricity bill or live more sustainably? Here are four simple strategies to help reduce vampire power in your home:

1. Get rid of things you don’t need …

Do an inventory of redundant devices. If your smartphone or smart speaker already serves as a clock and alarm, do you really need a plug-in radio clock? Do you need that second fridge in the garage? An old fridge can cost you $100 or more per year.

2. … and unplug things you don’t use

Unplug TVs or gaming centers in rarely used rooms, coffee makers after your morning brew, and consoles or printers that sit idle for days. Use power strips or smart plugs to make this easier. Advanced power strips can even automatically shut down multiple devices when a primary device is turned off.

3. Suck it up and wait!

Instead of using standby or quick-launch modes, consider fully shutting down devices when not in use. Shutting down a laptop overnight or turning off a console completely can lead to noticeable savings. A bit of patience goes a long way.

4. Replace old and outdated appliances and gadgets

Old appliances and gadgets consume significantly more energy. Replacing an ancient fridge or CRT TV with a new Energy Star-certified model can dramatically lower both active and standby power usage. Check for utility rebates or EPA recycling programs to make upgrades more affordable.

With a few simple changes, you can drive a stake through the heart of those energy vampires—and enjoy a lower electric bill as a result.