“Vampire energy” refers to the electricity wasted by devices that remain plugged into the power supply, even when switched off. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), this phenomenon costs U.S. households a total of $19 billion per year. While the standby power usage of a single device is minimal, the cost adds up when multiple devices are plugged in 24 hours per day, seven days a week, all year long.
- The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that vampire energy costs the average home $200 annually.
- A typical US home consumes 10,260 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
- At the national average electricity rate of 15.95 cents per kWh, this consumption represents $1,636 in annual bills.
- Based on these figures, vampire energy accounts for more than 12% of electricity expenses in the average US home.
Beyond the financial impact, vampire energy also has environmental consequences. According to the NRDC study, the nationwide electricity waste from vampire energy is equivalent to the output of 50 large power plants. Given that the U.S. generates 60% of its electricity from fossil fuels, the indirect carbon emissions from vampire energy are significant. For example, if your home wastes 1,000 kWh annually, and 600 kWh comes from gas-fired power plants, your vampire energy releases around 576 pounds of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere yearly.
Read on to identify the key devices responsible for vampire energy usage in your home and give you practical recommendations to reduce power waste.
What Is Vampire Energy and Why Should You Care?
Vampire energy, or standby power or phantom load, refers to the power consumed by a device or appliance, even when it’s not in use.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) defines standby power as “the electricity consumed by devices when they are switched off or not performing their primary functions”. According to LBNL, modern devices with high efficiency ratings usually draw a standby power of around 0.5 watts (W). However, some large electronic devices have phantom loads of over 10 W.
While the vampire energy from a single device may only add a few cents to your monthly bills, the total waste from all devices in your home can reach around $200 per year. LBNL estimates that standby power represents between 5% and 10% of residential electricity usage in developed countries.
Phantom loads also account for around 1% of global CO2 emissions. Global emissions reached an estimated 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024, according to Carbon Brief, which means vampire energy was responsible for around 374 million metric tons of CO2 last year.
Common Vampire Energy Sources in Your Home
The phantom load of electrical devices varies, just like their rated power consumption during normal use. To reduce vampire energy usage at home, you can start by identifying the devices with the highest standby power and disconnecting them when not in use. It may help to use a power strip that you can easily turn off and on, potentially cutting off power to multiple devices at once.
The table below lists the typical standby power of various home devices and how it translates to annual electricity costs:
| Device | Active Power | Standby Power | Average Annual kWh Waste | Average Annual Standby Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blender | 300–1,500 W | 0 W | 0 kWh | $0.00 |
| Cable box | 20–35 W | 4–6 W | 43.8 kWh | $6.98 |
| Ceiling fan | 50–100 W | 1–3 W | 17.5 kWh | $2.79 |
| Central air conditioner | 2,000–5,000 W | 2–10 W | 52.6 kWh | $8.38 |
| Clothes dryer | 2,000–5,000 W | 2–6 W | 35.0 kWh | $5.58 |
| Coffee maker | 700–1,500 W | 1–2 W | 13.1 kWh | $2.08 |
| Desktop computer | 100–300 W | 5-10 W | 65.7 kWh | $10.47 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,000 W | 2–3 W | 21.9 kWh | $3.49 |
| Electric oven | 2,000–5,000 W | 0.5–3 W | 15.3 kWh | $2.45 |
| Gaming console | 80–150 W | 1–2 W | 13.1 kWh | $2.08 |
| Laptop | 20–80 W | 1–3 W | 17.5 kWh | $2.79 |
| Microwave oven | 600–1,500 W | 2–7 W | 39.4 kWh | $6.28 |
| Printer | 30–50 W | 3–5 W | 35.0 kWh | $5.58 |
| Refrigerator | 100–800 W | 2–3 W | 21.9 kWh | $3.49 |
| Portable heater | 750–1,500 W | 1–2 W | 13.1 kWh | $2.08 |
| Stove, per burner | 1,200–3,000 W | 0.5 W | 4.4 kWh | $0.70 |
| LED televison | 50–100 W | 0.5–3 W | 15.3 kWh | $2.44 |
| Toaster | 800–1,500 W | 0 W | 0 kWh | $0.00 |
| Washing machine | 400–1,500 W | 1–6 W | 30.7 kWh | $4.89 |
| Wi-Fi router | 5–20 W | 5 W | 43.8 kWh | $6.98 |
Note: The table shows a typical standby power range for each device. Actual consumption can vary depending on equipment brand, specifications and efficiency rating. We calculated the annual costs using the U.S. average electricity rate of 15.95 cents per kWh. Your actual annual costs will vary depending on how much you pay per kilowatt-hour of usage.
The Hidden Costs: Breaking Down Your Energy Bill
U.S. electricity prices are on the rise, which means the annual cost of vampire energy is also expected to increase in the near future. The average residential rate in the U.S. increased from 15.44 to 15.95 cents per kWh between January 2024 and January 2025, representing a 3.25% price increase over 12 months. If you were wasting $200 annually on phantom loads one year ago, this amount has likely increased to around $206.
If electricity prices continue to rise at 3% to 5% per year, the average cost of vampire energy in a typical home could exceed $300 per year within a decade. However, you can reduce phantom load by connecting electronic gadgets to power strips and disconnecting them in groups when they are not in use. Additionally, you can offset standby power costs by switching to an electricity plan with lower rates than you currently pay.
Measuring and Identifying Energy Vampires
“You can’t control what you can’t measure” is a popular saying among electrical engineers, and it applies to vampire energy usage. In theory, you can minimize phantom loads by unplugging your devices when not in use, but doing this for 20 to 30 devices daily is impractical. Frequent plugging and unplugging can also damage wall outlets and device cords, leading to costly repairs that may outweigh your savings. To eliminate vampire energy efficiently, you must first identify the devices with the highest standby power.
You can measure energy usage with a plug-in power meter, which connects between a wall outlet and the device you want to test. For a given device, the phantom load is the power consumption shown when plugged in but switched off. You can conduct a simple energy audit by measuring your electrical devices’ standby power and active power and identifying the main phantom loads.
Here is a quick guide to help you find “energy vampires” in your home:
Signs That an Electrical Device Is Consuming Standby Power
- The device remains warm even when switched off.
- The device has an LED display or digital clock that always stays on.
- The device has indicator lights that are always on.
- All remote-controlled devices use standby power to remain active and receive signals.
Most Surprising Vampire Energy Culprits
- Coffee makers, microwaves and other kitchen appliances with digital clocks or displays
- TVs and gaming consoles
- Voice-controlled home assistants
- Smart speakers
- Printers and scanners
Worst Offenders by Room
- Kitchen: Microwaves, coffee makers and stoves with digital displays
- Living rooms: TVs, gaming consoles, sound systems and cable boxes
- Home office: Desktop computers, printers, scanners, phone chargers and WiFi routers
- Bedrooms: Alarm clocks, phone chargers, sensor-controlled lamps, and air conditioners or heat pumps with digital displays
Smart Solutions for Reducing Vampire Energy
Modern technology offers easy and efficient ways to reduce vampire energy without the hassle of constantly plugging and unplugging devices. Here are some smart solutions to help you minimize phantom loads in your home:
1) Smart Power Strips
Traditional power strips have a switch that allows you to disconnect multiple devices simultaneously, preventing vampire energy consumption. While this is more convenient than manually unplugging devices, it requires you to switch the power strip on and off.
Smart power strips take this one step further, automatically detecting and disconnecting which devices are in standby mode. These power strips are especially helpful in living rooms, where many entertainment devices contribute to phantom load.
Many smart power strips also include surge protection devices, shielding your electronics from voltage spikes and other power disturbances coming from the local grid. In other words, they help you save energy while extending the lifespan of your devices. Here are some smart power strips you can consider for your home:
- TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip
- TrickleStar 7-Outlet Advanced Power Strip
- Amazon Basics Smart Plug Power Strip
- Meross Smart Power Strip
- Tessan Smart Power Strip
2) Home Automation Systems
Home automation systems allow you to set schedules for electrical appliances, reducing their overall power consumption. These systems can also integrate with smart plugs and energy monitoring devices, improving their effectiveness. Some advanced home automation systems can switch off entire circuits at your distribution panel, minimizing vampire energy waste.
Home automation systems typically have a small phantom load, but the energy usage is minimal compared to the total savings provided.
Here are some popular home automation solutions:
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Home
- Apple HomeKit
- Vivint Smart Home System
- Samsung SmartThings
3) ENERGY STAR Certified Appliances
ENERGY STAR is an appliance labeling program managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The blue ENERGY STAR label indicates that a product has been successfully tested according to EPA efficiency standards.
- ENERGY STAR-certified devices consume less power than standard devices during regular operation and when placed in standby mode.
- For example, while standard TVs may have a phantom load of over 10W, some ENERGY STAR-certified TVs have a phantom load of less than 1 W.
ENERGY STAR devices reduce electricity and gas consumption in general, not only vampire energy usage. Due to their high efficiency, many of these devices also qualify for tax credits and other incentives.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Energy-Saving Solutions
Many energy-saving technologies can help you reduce vampire energy usage. However, payback periods can vary depending on the combination of phantom loads in your home and your consumption habits. In this section, we will estimate the typical savings and payback periods for various energy-saving solutions.
1) Smart Power Strips
You can purchase a smart power strip for less than $60, but most electronic devices waste from $2 to $10 per year on phantom power. For example, assume you connect six devices with an annual vampire energy cost of $40 to a smart power strip. If you can lower this figure to $10 per year, you’ll save $30 annually and can achieve a payback period of two years.
This is just an example, but it illustrates the energy-saving potential of smart power strips. Your actual savings will vary depending on the devices connected to your power strip and your usage habits.
2) Home Automation Systems
The total cost of a home automation system can range from less than $1,000 for a small home or apartment to over $5,000 for a large property with many devices. Annual energy savings can vary depending on system features and complexity, but many brands advertise savings of around 10% to 30% per year.
For example, if you use 12,000 kWh per year and a home automation system reduces your consumption by 15%, you save 1,800 kWh annually. At the U.S. average rate of 15.95 cents per kWh, this translates into $287.10 per year. If your system costs $2,000, you can expect a payback period of just over 6.8 years.
3) ENERGY STAR Appliances
The ENERGY STAR label is available for a wide range of appliances, from LED bulbs to central heating and cooling systems. The savings achieved with ENERGY STAR products can vary, depending on the specific equipment types you are upgrading. However, according to the official program website, a homeowner who chooses ENERGY STAR appliances saves around $450 per year.
- Since its launch in 1992, the ENERGY STAR program has helped U.S. homes and businesses save over 5 trillion kWh, equivalent to over $500 billion in energy costs.
- The program has also achieved a significant environmental benefit, preventing over 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Since ENERGY STAR covers many product categories, payback periods can vary significantly. For example, ENERGY STAR LED bulbs can achieve a payback period of less than one year when replacing old and inefficient bulbs. On the other hand, ENERGY STAR HVAC equipment may require around 5 to 10 years to break even due to its higher upfront cost. However, certified products often qualify for tax credits and other incentives, which shorten their payback period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vampire Energy
Does unplugging appliances really save money?
Unplugging appliances can save money by reducing phantom loads. However, this repetitive task can become tedious and may save less than $1 per day. Additionally, frequent plugging and unplugging can damage your appliance cords over time. A more practical solution is connecting electronic devices to power strips, which allows you to disconnect them in groups with a single switch. Smart power strips can also help you perform this function automatically.
Which devices use the most vampire energy?
The largest electronic devices usually have the highest standby loads. For example, large TVs and desktop computers can consume over 10W when in standby mode. Kitchen appliances with electronic displays, such as microwaves and coffeemakers, can also have significant vampire energy consumption. Older devices may have even higher phantom loads, reaching 20W to 30W when in standby mode.
How can I identify vampire energy devices in my home?
You can use affordable power meters to measure the phantom load of home devices. Usually, large electronic devices and kitchen appliances with screens have the highest standby power consumption. Additionally, if a device is often warm even when switched off, it likely uses a lot of vampire energy.
Are smart power strips worth the investment?
Yes, you can use smart power strips to reduce vampire energy consumption. These strips let you connect and disconnect appliances in groups without the tedious task of unplugging them daily. Many power strips also include built-in surge protection, shielding your electronic devices from voltage spikes and other power grid disturbances.
