Unplug These 15 Energy Vampires And Save Hundreds on Your Electric Bill
You might not notice, but many devices around your house are quietly running up your electric bill. If something’s turned off, it shouldn’t be costing anything, right? Wrong.
A surprising number of gadgets keep pulling power even when they’re not in use, slowly draining money for no good reason. It’s like paying rent on an empty storage unit.
According to the Department of Energy, the average American household spends roughly $2,200 a year on electricity, and about 10% of that is wasted on devices that aren’t even being used. That’s hundreds of dollars gone for nothing.
We’re going to look at 15 common household items that cost you money even when they’re not in use. You’ll see how much power they consume, what that adds up to in dollars, and how simple changes can put cash back in your pocket.
Alright, I get it. Some of these tips might seem inconvenient, maybe even unreasonable. But if saving money on electricity is the goal, they work.
Table of Contents
Phone Charger
Most people leave their phone chargers plugged in all the time. Seems harmless, but even when it’s not charging your phone, it’s still pulling electricity. A standard charger uses around 1.2 watts in standby mode, which might only add up to a dollar a year.
That’s not a huge number, but multiply that by every charger in your house, and the waste adds up. The fix? Easy. When your phone is charged, unplug the charger. Better yet, get in the habit of unplugging it every time you grab your phone. Small change, effortless savings.
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EV Charger
Driving an electric car is great. Leaving your EV charger plugged in when it’s not charging? Not so great. These chargers continue drawing power even when the car is full, using around 10-20 watts just sitting there.
That could mean an extra $10-$20 per year added to your bill for no reason. Solution? Unplug it when your car is done charging. It’s a habit that takes two seconds but saves real money over time.
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TV Set-Top Box
Cable and satellite boxes are some of the worst offenders when it comes to wasted energy. They pull anywhere from 10-30 watts in standby mode, which could cost you up to $100 a year just for the privilege of having it sit there.
Plugging it into a power strip with a switch makes it easier, when you’re done watching, flip the switch. Simple, effective, and one less thing sucking power when you’re not using it.
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TV
Think turning off the TV means it stops using power? Not quite. Even in standby mode, modern TVs still pull 1-5 watts, which can add up over time. Unplugging it completely when you’re not watching could put a few extra bucks back in your pocket each year.
If reaching behind the TV sounds like a hassle, a power strip is your friend. Hit the switch, cut the power, and stop wasting money on something you’re not even watching.
Laptop
Leaving your laptop plugged in 24/7 might seem convenient, but it’s wasting energy and slowly killing your battery life. A laptop can use 5-20 watts while charging, but once it’s at 100%, that power draw isn’t doing you any favors.
Instead of keeping it plugged in all the time, charge it when needed, unplug it when it’s full, and let the battery do its job. Bonus: your laptop battery will last longer, saving you money on a replacement down the line.
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Desktop Computers
A desktop computer that’s left on standby mode still pulls around 9.5 watts, adding about $12 a year to your electricity bill for no reason. That might not sound like much, but combine it with other devices, and it’s an easy place to cut waste.
Shutting it down completely when you’re done, especially overnight, stops that unnecessary drain. Plus, your computer will last longer, since it’s not running constantly for no reason.
Devices with Clocks
Look around the kitchen. The microwave, coffee maker, and oven all have glowing digital clocks, quietly pulling power 24/7. That tiny display isn’t free, it’s costing you around $10 a year.
Maybe that’s not a dealbreaker, but add in every other unused appliance with a clock, and it starts to add up. The easiest fix? Unplug the ones that don’t need to be on all the time. The microwave doesn’t need to tell time when nobody’s in the kitchen.
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Power Tool Chargers
Power drills, electric saws, lawn tools, if they run on a rechargeable battery, they have a charger that probably stays plugged in way longer than necessary. Even with no tool attached, these chargers pull 5-10 watts just sitting there.
That’s like paying for a parked car to keep running. Once the battery’s full, unplug the charger. Takes two seconds and keeps that wasted energy and extra cost out of your life. Your tools will still be ready when you need them, but you won’t be paying for power that’s going nowhere.
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Clocks and TVs in Guest Rooms
Guest rooms sit empty most of the year, but the electronics inside them don’t take a break. A TV on standby pulls 1-5 watts, while a digital clock adds another 1.2 watts. Together, that’s a few extra dollars a year spent on a room that no one is using.
Unless you’ve got guests every weekend, unplug these devices. When company comes over, plugging them back in takes seconds. The rest of the time, they’re just silently burning money.
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Blenders
That blender sitting on the counter might not seem like an energy waster, but it’s still pulling power just sitting there. Only 1-2 watts, sure, but it’s a device that’s probably used once a week at most.
If something is sitting idle 99% of the time, why keep it plugged in? Store it unplugged, and when it’s time to make a smoothie, it takes two seconds to plug it in. Less wasted energy, same blended results.
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Game Consoles
Gaming consoles are some of the worst offenders when it comes to wasted power. Left in standby mode, they pull 10-20 watts, adding up to $15 a year just for the privilege of being “ready to play.”
If gaming is a daily habit, this might not seem like a big deal. But for those who only fire up the console on weekends, keeping it unplugged during the week makes sense. Flip the switch when you’re ready to play, and keep more money in your pocket when you’re not.
Printers
Printers don’t need to be plugged in all the time. Most homes use them maybe once or twice a month, yet they sit there in standby mode pulling power every single day.
That’s an easy $10 a year spent on absolutely nothing. Unless printing is a daily necessity, unplug it when you’re done. Takes two seconds and saves money with zero downside.
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Wireless Routers
The internet is always on, and so is your router. That little box running 24/7 pulls 5-10 watts constantly, adding $10-$15 a year to your bill. Shutting it off overnight won’t be practical for everyone.
But if you’re heading out for a vacation or don’t need Wi-Fi running when you’re asleep, consider powering it down. If that sounds like too much work, a smart plug with a timer can automate the process and cut costs without any extra effort.
Speakers and Sound Systems
Speakers and surround sound systems are another sneaky drain on power. Even in standby mode, they’re pulling 5-10 watts just waiting to be used. That’s about $10 a year spent on silence.
If music and movies aren’t part of the daily routine, keep the system unplugged when it’s not in use. The sound will still be just as good when it’s turned on, but you won’t be paying for it when it’s not.
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Heated Blankets and Mattress Pads
A heated blanket is great on a cold night, but leaving it plugged in when it’s not being used is like running a space heater in an empty room. These can pull 50-100 watts, which can add up to $40 a year.
Unplugging them when they’re not in use is an easy way to stop the waste. Staying warm is great, but paying for heat that isn’t being used? Not so much.
Cut the Waste, Keep the Cash
Most people don’t think about the small power drains happening all day, every day. These devices are quietly burning money, and for what? A clock on a microwave? A game console sitting idle?
Cutting this waste isn’t hard, it’s a habit. Unplug what isn’t being used, use power strips for convenience, and stop paying for energy that’s going nowhere. A few small changes can add up to real savings.
Keep that money in your pocket, not on your electric bill.
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