Cut Your Power Bill in Half by Unplugging These Devices at Night

Understanding Standby Power and Energy Vampire Devices

Whether you're concerned about the environment, your monthly energy bill, or both, there are practical steps you can take to reduce your power consumption. Many household devices consume electricity even when they’re not in use, a phenomenon known as "standby power." These devices, often referred to as "energy vampire devices," can significantly impact your energy usage over time.

Not all idle gadgets are equally problematic. Focus on unplugging those that are rarely used, such as empty battery chargers, Blu-ray players, and heated pet beds. For frequently used devices, consider only plugging them in when necessary. While unplugging a few devices might not make a huge difference on your monthly bill, doing so for multiple devices can add up over time.

To identify which devices are using the most energy, consider using a power meter. This tool can help you pinpoint electronics that are consuming excessive energy while on standby. You can also use a USB-C power meter, a small but useful gadget that provides insights into your device's energy usage.

Key Energy Vampire Devices to Unplug

Coffee Makers

According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2011 Buildings Energy Data Book, coffee makers are among the worst offenders when it comes to standby power. They can consume up to 70 watts of electricity per year while idle. Traditional drip coffee makers often have features like an LCD display or an internal timer that keep them drawing power even when not in use.

Modern single-cup appliances, such as Keurig and Nespresso machines, are also guilty of being energy vampires. The amount of standby power they consume varies, with models that keep water hot using more energy. Unless you need the machine to stay on to keep the pot warm, consider unplugging it. If you tend to forget, a timer plug can be a helpful solution.

Desktop Computers

Whether you have a basic computer or a high-end gaming PC, all desktop computers consume electricity when on standby. Gaming PCs, which often include power-hungry components like dedicated GPUs, are particularly energy-intensive. On average, a desktop computer on standby can add around $23 to your annual electricity bill. Computer monitors and other peripherals can increase this cost by an additional $30 per year.

Unplugging your computer ensures it isn’t drawing power when it’s not in use. However, if you use your computer daily, unplugging it each morning may be inconvenient. Using an SSD as your boot drive can speed up the startup process, making it easier to manage your energy consumption.

Video Game Consoles

Game consoles are some of the biggest contributors to standby power consumption. For example, the PS5's Rest Mode allows it to update itself, charge devices, and resume games where you left off. While convenient, this mode can consume between 3.8 to 4.2 W, depending on the model. Adjusting settings, such as turning off power supplied to USB ports, can help reduce this consumption.

The PS4 also has a low-power Rest Mode, which can consume up to 7.8 W. Turning the console off completely uses less power, though it still draws about 0.2 W. Similar behavior is seen in other modern consoles, such as the Switch 2. If you’re in the middle of a game, leaving the console plugged in makes sense. However, if you can save your progress, unplugging it could help lower your energy bill.

Wi-Fi Routers

Wi-Fi routers are essential for daily life, which is why many people leave them powered on at all times. However, these devices can consume as much energy as a 32-inch TV. Across the country, modems and routers collectively consume as much as $1 billion worth of electricity annually.

Newer Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers offer improved performance but come with higher energy consumption. Mesh Wi-Fi systems, which rely on multiple devices, also use more power. While it’s practical to keep these devices running if you have smart home devices that require an internet connection, consider unplugging them during times when you don’t need them, such as overnight.