Even when they’re “off,” these gadgets quietly keep the meter spinning.
You unplugged your phone, switched off the TV, and figured you were done saving energy for the day. But surprise—many of your gadgets are still quietly slurping electricity behind your back. This sneaky energy drain is called “phantom load” or “vampire energy,” and it can account for up to 10% of your home’s total electricity use without you even realizing it.
These devices stay “half awake” to power displays, run clocks, or stay ready for instant start-up. Individually, the pull seems tiny, but stack them together and you’re paying real money for power you never actually use. Even that phone charger you thought was harmless might be quietly adding dollars to your bill every single month. Once you know what to look for, it’s surprisingly easy to stop the waste. Small habit changes today can lead to serious savings and a lighter environmental impact tomorrow.
1. Phone chargers keep sipping power even when the phone is gone.
Leaving your charger plugged in without a phone attached seems harmless, but it still draws a small continuous current. It might be just a trickle, but multiplied across every outlet and household, it turns into a big collective drain.
Those few watts might not shock your wallet overnight, but they add up over months. According to Joshua Chan for Stanford Magazine, even when your phone is fully charged and removed, the charger continues to draw about 0.26 watts in “no‑load mode,” and a fully charged phone still pulls around 2.24 watts—adding up when multiplied across millions of households.
Even if your phone is fully charged and still plugged in, it keeps drawing periodic top-off charges that waste energy and can shorten your battery’s lifespan. Unplugging chargers when not in use is one of the easiest ways to cut waste instantly. Plus, fewer devices sitting in outlets reduces fire risk. It’s a simple habit shift that feels small but makes you realize how much “idle” energy is actually in constant motion.
2. Televisions suck energy in standby mode while waiting for your next binge.
That little red light on your TV? It’s not a friendly glow—it’s proof your TV is still alive and pulling power. Standby mode keeps circuits ready to turn on instantly, but that convenience means a constant low-level energy drain. Multiply that by all the TVs in every household, and you’ve got a giant invisible power grab happening every second. As highlighted by experts at the Department of Energy’s Berkeley Lab, standby power—sometimes called “phantom load”—accounts for 5–10% of total household energy consumption and can cost the average U.S. household up to $100 per year, highlighting how even idle devices quietly add up.
Using a power strip to shut off your TV completely when it’s not in use is an easy fix. Some newer models have “eco” modes to reduce standby consumption, but they rarely cut it to zero. If you think of your TV as a vampire, suddenly that soft glow stops feeling so comforting. Start flipping the switch or unplugging entirely—you might save enough over time to pay for your next streaming subscription.
3. Game consoles quietly drain power to stay on standby for quick reboots.
Game consoles love to stay ready at a moment’s notice, even when you think they’re “off.” In reality, standby modes allow them to download updates and wake up instantly, but they also siphon a surprising amount of power around the clock. Some models can use as much energy idling as a refrigerator running all day. Per writers for Carnegie Mellon, nearly 68% of the total energy used by game consoles in 2010 was consumed in idle mode—wasting an estimated 10.8 TWh of electricity annually and over $1 billion in utility costs.
Turning them off completely or using a power strip can make a huge dent in your household’s phantom load. Yes, it might mean waiting a few extra seconds for it to boot, but you’ll get that time back in saved dollars and lower carbon impact. Next time you finish a gaming session, power it down fully. Your future self—and your electric bill—will absolutely thank you for ditching that always-on standby comfort.
4. Coffee makers stay warm and ready but quietly inflate your energy bill.
Programmable coffee makers and single-serve machines often stay in “ready” mode to brew at a moment’s notice. That warm glow on the display or heating element is more than a sign of convenience—it’s a constant trickle of electricity that can add up fast.
Switching them off completely after use or unplugging them when not needed saves more than you think. It might mean sacrificing instant brewing, but that’s a small trade for lower bills and a smaller footprint.
You can also use a programmable outlet timer to automatically cut power when you’re done. Instead of silently sipping power all day, your machine can take a proper break—and you can enjoy your morning ritual knowing it’s not coming with hidden costs.
5. Desktop computers drain energy even when they’re sleeping or “off.”
Most people assume shutting down their computer ends the power drain. Unfortunately, desktops and some monitors keep pulling power to maintain quick-start settings and power LED indicators. That “sleep” mode isn’t as restful as it sounds—your PC is still partially awake, sipping electricity to stay ready.
Using a full shutdown or unplugging completely makes a noticeable difference, especially if your computer setup is on for hours each day. A smart power strip can cut off all connected accessories at once, saving effort and energy. Besides slashing your bill, giving your computer a true break can extend its lifespan. Next time you walk away from your desk, think of it like leaving a faucet running—turn it off fully, and enjoy the quiet knowledge that you’re not draining watts you don’t need.
6. Microwaves keep sipping power for the sake of a digital clock.
That glowing clock on your microwave isn’t just there to tell time—it’s quietly draining electricity every single second. Most microwaves draw power constantly to keep that display and internal circuits ready to heat up your leftovers at a moment’s notice. Over time, that seemingly harmless glow adds up on your bill.
You don’t have to ditch the microwave entirely; just unplug it when not in use if it’s safe and practical. Alternatively, use a power strip to easily cut power when the kitchen’s closed for the night. You’ll start seeing your electric bill drop with almost no change to your routine. Plus, you might even enjoy the weird thrill of plugging it in only when you actually need it—proof that small, quiet devices can pack a sneaky punch.
7. Printers drain power just to stay ready for your next print job.
Your printer might look innocent sitting there, but it’s often in a semi-awake state, pulling power so it can “wake up” quickly when you hit print. Even if you only use it once a week, it can stay on guard all day, every day, silently sipping energy and quietly inflating your utility costs.
Turning it off completely or unplugging it between uses can make a big dent in phantom load. A smart power strip works wonders for multi-device setups like home offices. Most people don’t need instant print readiness—waiting an extra 20 seconds won’t ruin your day. Once you break the habit of leaving it on standby, you’ll wonder why you ever let that little box take advantage of your outlet 24/7.
8. Cable and satellite boxes act like energy vampires when you’re not watching.
Set-top boxes and DVRs are some of the worst offenders when it comes to standby drain. Even when “off,” they continue to download updates, run background processes, and stay warm to ensure quick channel changes. In some cases, they use almost as much power idle as when fully on.
Unplugging them when not in use or putting them on a power strip with a switch can slash this hidden waste. It might mean waiting a few extra seconds for them to reboot, but the trade-off in energy savings is worth it.
Many newer models have energy-saving settings—be sure to check and actually turn them on. Your living room shouldn’t be bleeding energy all night for the sake of a slightly faster channel flip tomorrow.
9. Smart home devices stay constantly connected, sipping energy all day.
Smart speakers, security cameras, and Wi-Fi-connected gadgets promise 24/7 convenience—but that means they’re also on 24/7, even when you’re asleep or out of town. These little power sippers might each use only a bit, but the collective drain can be surprisingly big.
While you might not want to fully unplug certain security devices, others (like smart plugs or assistants) can be powered down or scheduled to turn off when not needed. Even a few hours of downtime each day can reduce their footprint. Review which devices truly need to be “always on,” and which are just conveniences that add up in the background. Once you start questioning your smart home’s energy habits, you’ll see those helpful gadgets in a whole new, less flattering light.
10. Audio systems sip power to keep remotes and displays ready.
Your soundbar or surround sound system may look off, but as long as that little standby light is glowing, it’s pulling power. These systems stay ready to respond instantly to your remote or voice command, meaning they remain partially awake all the time. Over weeks and months, this slow drip becomes a surprising cost.
Unplugging them or flipping a power strip when they’re not in use doesn’t require you to give up movie night vibes—it just means they’re actually off when you’re not jamming out or binge-watching. If you’ve been leaving them in “ready” mode for years, you’re not alone—most people have no idea. But once you take control, you get the satisfaction of knowing your system isn’t stealthily bumping up your bills while you sleep.
11. Toothbrush chargers run even when your brush is fully juiced.
That trusty electric toothbrush sits on its base all day, quietly drawing power to keep its battery topped off—even when it’s already at 100%. Most models don’t stop charging automatically and continue pulling a tiny current indefinitely, contributing to your home’s phantom load.
Charge your toothbrush once it’s actually low, then unplug the base until it’s needed again. Most brushes hold a charge for days or even weeks, so there’s no need for constant juice. It’s a tiny, almost effortless change, but it chips away at the silent energy drain lurking in your bathroom. Next time you see that charger humming away, remember: even the smallest, seemingly harmless habits can add up to big impacts over time—on your bill and on the environment.