Phantom (Standby) Power: What It Costs and How to Cut It

Phantom power, also called standby or vampire power, is electricity your devices use while they are switched off or in standby mode. The Department of Energy says it accounts for 5% to 10% of residential energy use and could cost the average U.S. household as much as $100 a year. You can cut most of it by switching off power strips, unplugging rarely used devices and choosing ENERGY STAR products.

What is phantom (standby) power?

DOE defines standby power as "electric power consumed by products when they are switched off or in a standby mode" (DOE Energy Saver). DOE's appliance energy guide also notes that many appliances "continue to draw a small amount of stand-by power" when switched off, and calls these phantom loads (DOE).

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel says that anything with a remote control, an indicator light or a clock is likely drawing standby power. It gives coffee makers, microwaves, TVs, cable boxes, DVRs, cell phones and video game consoles as examples (Ohio Consumers' Counsel).

Not all of it is waste. Some standby power keeps useful functions running, such as refrigerator temperature monitoring, remote controls, clocks, thermostats and saved programs (OCC).

How much does phantom power cost?

Estimates from government sources:

Estimate	Source
5% to 10% of residential energy use; up to $100 per year for the average household	U.S. Department of Energy
Can add 5% to 10% to the average home's electric bill, and as much as 20% in some homes; 20 to 40 devices in a home using vampire power	Ohio Consumers' Counsel
About 10% of the average home electricity bill	Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The cost in your home depends on how many devices you leave plugged in, how much each draws and your electricity rate, which averaged 18.16¢ per kWh nationally in August 2026.

The difference between devices can be large

Cornell Cooperative Extension cites Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory measurements of two TVs: one used 0.7 watts in standby and another used 14 watts, a 20-fold difference for the same convenience features (Cornell Cooperative Extension). A household usage chart from Indiana University of Pennsylvania's facilities office lists a desktop computer and monitor in sleep mode at 1 to 20 watts (IUP Facilities chart).

How to calculate the cost of standby power

Because standby devices draw power around the clock, use 24 hours per day in the DOE formula (DOE):

1. kWh per year = standby watts × 24 hours × 365 days ÷ 1,000
2. Cost per year = kWh per year × your price per kWh

A shortcut: each watt of continuous draw uses about 8.76 kWh per year (1 × 24 × 365 ÷ 1,000). The table below applies that to example standby loads at an example rate of 15¢ per kWh. Replace with your measured watts and your own rate.

Continuous standby load	kWh per year	Cost per year at 15¢
1 W	8.76	$1.31
5 W	43.8	$6.57
14 W (the higher-draw TV above)	122.6	$18.40
50 W (several devices combined)	438	$65.70

What that looks like on a real rate

Cornell Cooperative Extension worked through the cost for the two TVs above using an average New York rate of 13.9¢ per kWh: the 14-watt standby TV would cost about $14.18 a year just sitting idle, while the 0.7-watt model would cost about 69 cents (Cornell Cooperative Extension). Multiply that difference across every set-top box, console, speaker and charger in a home, and it is easy to see how standby use reaches the 5% to 10% range DOE describes.

Standby, sleep and off: what's the difference?

• On: the device is doing its main job and drawing its full operating power.
• Sleep or standby: the device looks off but keeps some circuits powered so it can wake quickly, respond to a remote, keep a clock or download updates. This is where most phantom power comes from.
• Off (switch or button): many devices still draw a small amount of power even when switched off, which is why DOE recommends unplugging or using a switched strip (DOE).
• Unplugged or strip switched off: the only state that draws zero power.

Common phantom loads, room by room

• Living room: TV, cable or satellite box, DVR, game consoles, soundbar, streaming devices.
• Home office: desktop computer, monitors, printer, speakers, external drives, chargers.
• Kitchen: microwave and coffee maker clocks, toaster oven.
• Bedrooms: spare TVs, phone and tablet chargers, chargers for tools or toys.

How to find your phantom loads

1. Walk through each room. Note everything with a light, clock, remote or external power adapter.
2. Measure with a plug-in meter. DOE says electricity usage monitors cost around $25 to $50 and measure devices that run on 120 volts (DOE). The Ohio Consumers' Counsel notes some public libraries, extension offices and electric cooperatives lend them (OCC). Measure each device both on and off.
3. Check your whole-home baseline. If your utility shows hourly smart meter data, your lowest overnight hour gives a rough view of your always-on load (which also includes the refrigerator and other appliances that cycle).
4. Prioritize. Focus on entertainment centers, home office setups and older electronics first.

How to cut phantom power

1. Use a switched power strip

DOE recommends plugging devices into a power strip with an on/off switch and turning the strip off when the devices aren't in use (DOE). The Ohio Consumers' Counsel points out that regular power strips and surge protectors do not reduce vampire power unless the switch is actually turned off (OCC).

2. Try an advanced (smart) power strip

Advanced power strips cut power to idle devices automatically. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel describes three types: timer-equipped, occupancy-sensing (motion detector) and current-sensing, and notes many include "always-on" outlets for items like Wi-Fi routers or alarm systems. They usually cost more than regular strips (OCC). The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency suggests checking with your utility for possible discounts or rebates (MPCA).

3. Unplug what you rarely use

DOE suggests unplugging appliances you don't need plugged in, such as a toaster oven, while keeping items like the refrigerator and alarm clock plugged in (DOE). Good candidates include guest-room TVs, spare chargers and devices you leave behind when traveling.

4. Unplug chargers when you're done

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency notes that phone and tool chargers draw power whenever they are plugged in, even when not charging anything (MPCA).

5. Shut down computers fully

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel recommends shutting down computers instead of logging off and turning off monitors and peripherals like printers rather than leaving them in sleep mode (OCC).

6. Buy ENERGY STAR when you replace

DOE notes ENERGY STAR products often have lower standby power than comparable models (DOE). The Ohio Consumers' Counsel also recommends comparing the yellow EnergyGuide label when shopping (OCC).

What not to unplug

• Refrigerators and freezers, which need to stay on.
• Wi-Fi routers, DVRs and alarm systems, if you need them running. The MPCA suggests keeping DVRs and routers on a separate outlet so they keep recording and connecting (MPCA).
• Devices with settings you'll lose. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel suggests checking the owner's manual first, since unplugging can erase programmed data (OCC).
• Medical equipment or anything a household member depends on.

Next steps

Measure a few devices, then enter the standby watts and 24 hours per day in our appliance energy cost calculator using your state's rate from the electricity rates page. For bigger savings, see how to lower your electric bill, or brush up on the math in what is a kilowatt-hour?