Ask the Energy Expert

As an energy expert, I get a lot of questions from homeowners looking for practical ways to reduce their monthly bills. With energy costs on everyone's mind, people want to know which efforts are worth their time. One question that comes up frequently touches on something most of us never think about – those devices that seem "off" but are still plugged in.

"My neighbor told me I should unplug my TV every night to save money. That sounds like a hassle for maybe a few dollars. Is it actually worth it?"

I get this question all the time, and your skepticism makes sense. The idea of unplugging your TV and other devices every night does sound tedious. But here's what most people don't realize: those "sleeping" plugged-in devices are costing you money right now, even while you're reading this.

The phantom energy reality

Right now, devices throughout your home are quietly using electricity even though they appear to be off. Your cable box is maintaining its settings. Your coffee maker's digital clock is glowing. Your phone charger is warm to the touch even with nothing plugged into it. These phantom energy users - what we call vampire loads - can account for 5-10% of your monthly electric bill.

The biggest standby power users in your home

Let me show you where the real energy waste happens:

Entertainment systems are usually the worst offenders. Cable boxes, gaming consoles and sound systems stay in standby mode 24/7, ready to respond instantly when you grab the remote.

Kitchen appliances with digital displays - coffee makers, microwaves, toaster ovens - keep those clocks running and displays lit at all times.

Chargers and power adapters continue drawing power whether your devices are connected or not. That warm laptop charger sitting on your desk? It's using electricity even when your laptop is nowhere near it.

Printers and computer equipment maintain network connections and stay ready for wireless printing commands, even in "sleep" mode.

Smart strategies that work

You don't need to crawl around unplugging everything as soon as you’re done using it. Focus on the moves that make the biggest difference:

Use power strips for entertainment centers. Plug your cable box, gaming console and sound system into one strip and flip the switch when you're done watching TV. Cable boxes and gaming consoles typically use much more standby power than smaller devices.

Unplug occasional-use items. That coffee maker, toaster oven or printer doesn't need to stay plugged in 24/7 if you only use it once a day.

Check your chargers. Unplug phone, laptop and tablet chargers when you're not actively charging something.

Track your actual usage

Our free Energy Manager tool shows you when your energy usage spikes throughout the day, so you can identify which changes can make a difference in your home.

The bottom line? You don't need to unplug everything, but targeting the right devices can reduce that phantom energy waste without turning it into a daily chore.