- The US Department of Energy estimates standby power accounts for 5–10% of residential energy use.
- The same source says it could cost the average US household as much as $100 a year.
- One watt running constantly uses 8.76 kWh a year.
- A plug-in power meter, or your smart meter's overnight data, shows exactly where the waste is.
What counts as standby power?
Standby power, also called phantom load or vampire power, is electricity used by devices that are plugged in but not actively doing their main job. Common culprits:
- TVs, soundbars and streaming boxes waiting for a remote signal
- Game consoles in "instant-on" or rest modes that keep them ready to download updates
- Cable and satellite boxes, which often draw nearly as much off as on
- Desktop computers, monitors, printers and speakers
- Appliances with clocks or displays, like microwaves and coffee makers
- Chargers and power adapters, especially older ones
Some standby use is useful: a router, a security system or a fridge needs to stay on. The goal is to cut the waste, not everything.
The one-watt rule
Because standby loads run all the time, small numbers add up. There are 8,760 hours in a year, so:
1 watt × 8,760 hours = 8,760 Wh = 8.76 kWh a year
At $0.17/kWh, close to the 2025 US residential average reported by the US Energy Information Administration, that is 8.76 × $0.17 = about $1.49 per watt per year. Every constant watt you eliminate saves roughly a dollar and a half annually, more where electricity is expensive.
| Constant load | At $0.12/kWh | At $0.17/kWh | At $0.30/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 W | $1 | $1.49 | $2.63 |
| 10 W | $11 | $15 | $26 |
| 50 W | $53 | $74 | $131 |
| 100 W | $105 | $149 | $263 |
Figures are per year. Rates of $0.30/kWh or more are common in parts of California, New England, the UK and Australia, which makes phantom loads proportionally more costly there.
How to find your phantom loads
Method 1: read your baseload from your smart meter
If your utility provides hourly usage data, look at the lowest-use hours, usually between about 2 and 5 a.m. That figure is your home's baseload: everything that runs constantly, plus cycling appliances like the fridge.
For example, if your lowest hour shows 0.20 kWh, your home draws about 200 watts around the clock. That is 200 × 8.76 = 1,752 kWh a year × $0.17 = about $298 a year. Not all of it is avoidable, but it tells you whether to dig further. A baseload well above what your fridge, router and other essentials need points to hidden waste.
Method 2: measure devices with a plug-in meter
A plug-in electricity usage meter sits between a device and the outlet and shows watts in real time. Measure each device or power strip when it is "off" or idle. Leave it for a few minutes, since some devices wake up periodically.
Method 3: the breaker test
With your smart meter app or the meter display open, switch off one circuit breaker at a time and watch the whole-home draw fall. This quickly shows which part of the house holds the biggest constant loads. Avoid switching off circuits for the fridge, freezer, medical equipment, alarms or sump pumps, and reset any clocks afterward.
Worked example: one household's audit
Here is an illustrative set of standby readings from a meter survey of one home. Your own readings will differ, which is why measuring matters.
| Device or group (when off or idle) | Measured standby |
|---|---|
| TV, soundbar and streaming box | 12 W |
| Game console in instant-on mode | 10 W |
| Cable box | 15 W |
| Desktop computer, monitor and speakers | 6 W |
| Printer | 3 W |
| Microwave and coffee maker displays | 4 W |
| Chargers left plugged in | 1 W |
| Total | 51 W |
Annual cost: 51 W × 8.76 = 447 kWh × $0.17 = about $76 a year
Switching the console to energy-saving mode and putting the entertainment and office setups on switched power strips removes 12 + 10 + 6 + 3 = 31 W:
31 W × 8.76 = 272 kWh × $0.17 = about $46 a year saved, for the price of two power strips.
Run your own device numbers through our appliance cost calculator.
How to cut standby power
- Change settings first. Game consoles, TVs and computers often have an energy-saving or eco mode that drops standby draw sharply. It is free and permanent.
- Use switched power strips. Group devices that are used together and switch the strip off when you are done. The Department of Energy recommends this approach.
- Try advanced power strips. These cut power to accessories like speakers and consoles when the main device, such as the TV, turns off.
- Use smart plugs or timers carefully. They can switch off loads on a schedule, but each draws a small amount of power itself. They make sense for bigger loads, not a single phone charger.
- Unplug rarely used items. Guest-room TVs, spare chargers and garage gadgets can simply be unplugged.
- Replace the worst offenders. When buying new electronics, ENERGY STAR certified models generally have lower standby power.
- Retire the second fridge. It is not standby power, but an old, mostly empty fridge is often the largest constant load you can remove.
What not to switch off
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Medical devices and anything that must stay charged for safety
- Smoke, carbon monoxide and security systems
- Your router, if switching it off disrupts phones, alarms or devices that need updates
- Heating controls, sump pumps and well pumps
Keep it in perspective
Standby power is worth tackling because the fixes are cheap and permanent. But heating, cooling, water heating and driving usually account for far more of your energy spending. Once your phantom loads are under control, look at bigger wins in our guides to lowering your electric bill, smart thermostats and time-of-use rates, or start with a DIY home energy audit.
The US Department of Energy's standby power guidance has more tips.
Frequently asked questions
Does unplugging phone chargers save money?
Modern chargers draw very little with nothing attached, often well under a watt, so the savings are tiny. Older or cheaper adapters can draw more. Measure if in doubt, but focus on bigger loads first.
Is it bad for electronics to cut their power?
For most TVs, speakers and printers, no. Some devices need power to download updates or keep settings, so check a device's behavior after a power cycle, and avoid cutting power to routers or anything that must stay on.
How much standby power is normal?
It varies widely by home and device mix. Comparing your overnight baseload with the essentials you know must run, such as the fridge and router, is the best way to judge whether yours is high.
Are smart plugs worth it for saving energy?
They help for larger idle loads or devices you forget to switch off, but each plug uses a little power itself. For a cluster of devices, a single switched or advanced power strip is often better value.
Run your own numbers
Plug your bill, prices and climate into our free appliance energy cost calculator — every assumption is editable.
This guide is general information, not financial, tax or engineering advice. Prices and incentives change — confirm with qualified local professionals and official program sources. See our methodology and disclosures.