Tip
Phantom power loads in a typical home
Phantom loads (also called vampire loads or standby power) are appliances that draw power 24/7 even when "off." A typical U.S. home has $50-$150/year in phantom loads.
Top offenders
| Device | Standby watts | Annual cost @ $0.13/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Cable / satellite box (DVR) | 15-30W | $17-$34 |
| Game console (Xbox/PS5 in instant-on) | 10-15W | $11-$17 |
| Desktop computer asleep (high-end) | 5-10W | $6-$11 |
| Smart speaker (always listening) | 2-3W | $2-$3 |
| TV in standby | 1-3W | $1-$3 |
| Phone charger plugged in (no phone) | 0.1-0.5W | $0.10-$0.50 |
| Microwave (clock) | 2-7W | $2-$8 |
| Coffee maker w/ clock | 1-5W | $1-$6 |
How to find them
Borrow a Kill A Watt meter ($25, often free at libraries) and plug suspect appliances through it. Read the standby watts directly.
Smart power strip pattern
For TV setups: plug TV into the "control" outlet. Plug game console, soundbar, streaming box into "switched" outlets. When TV powers off, switched outlets cut power. $15-$30 strip, $50/year savings typical.
What NOT to unplug
- Refrigerator — obvious
- Modern air-source heat pumps — crankcase heater needed
- Tankless water heaters — freeze-protection
- Newer appliances — many have firmware updates / smart features