Does Unplugging Appliances Save Electricity? The Truth About “Vampire Power” (And What to Do About It)

Here’s an amazing fact:

Your home might be awake even when you’re fast asleep.
Not from ghosts.
Not from your teenager sneaking snacks at midnight.
But from something sneakier:
Vampire power.

Standby power, the unseen trickle of electricity that enters gadgets even while they are off, goes by that unflattering moniker. Indeed, it is.

Your television? using energy when “off.”
Your coffee maker? imagining tomorrow’s brew—and utilizing power to make it happen.
The charger for your phone? Connected but without a phone? Juice is still being drawn.

What Is Vampire Power? (And Why It’s Stealing Your Money)

Also known as phantom load, standby power, or leaking electricity, this is the energy devices use when:

They’re “off” but still concerted
They’re on standby (like your TV waiting for the remote)
They have clocks, lights, or instant-on features
They’re charging… but nothing’s linked

Common culprits include:

Phone & laptop chargers (plugged in, no device)
Smart TVs, soundbars, gaming consoles
Coffee makers with digital clocks
Computers, printers, monitors
Chargers for controllers, vacuums, toothbrushes
Microwaves (hello, glowing clock)

These tiny suckers can consume 5–10% of the electricity used in your house each year, which is equivalent to paying for a spare room that is never used.

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Let’s get real:

Unplugging won’t make you rich.
But it can save $100–$200 per year, depending on your setup.

Here’s a quick peek at what some popular devices cost just sitting there:

Gaming Console (PS5/Xbox)

$30–$60

Cable Box/Satellite Receiver

$40–$80

Coffee Maker (with clock)

$10–$15

Laptop Charger (always plugged)

$5–$10

TV + Soundbar

$25–$50

Multiply that across multiple devices? That’s real money—slowly bleeding out of your wallet.

But Wait—Don’t Unplug Everything!

Before you go yanking every cord in sight, here’s what not to unplug:

Refrigerator/Freezer – Unless you want a smelly kitchen and destr0yed groceries
Medical devices – Oxygen machines, CPAPs—maintain them safe and powered
Wi-Fi Router (if needed overnight) – Though you could schedule it to turn off
Security systems or baby monitors – Safety first
Modem/Router (if you use smart home devices)

Some devices also take forever to reboot (looking at you, cable box), so weigh convenience vs. savings.

Smart Ways to Stop the Suck (Without Going Crazy)

You don’t need to become an outlet ninja. Just get clever.

1. Use Smart Power Strips

These cut power to “slave” devices when the major one stopping operation.
Example: Shut down your TV → strips k*ll power to soundbar, game console, streaming box.

2. Group Devices on One Strip

Kitchen counter? Plug coffee maker, toaster, blender into one strip. Flip it off at night.
Entertainment center? One switch kills the whole system.

3. Unplug Chargers When Not in Use

Seriously—it takes two seconds. Make it a habit like brushing your teeth.

4. Select Low-Standby Devices

When buying new electronics, look for: