Does Unplugging Appliances Really Save Electricity?

Learn how much standby power costs, which appliances are worth unplugging, and how to reduce phantom electricity use without unnecessary effort.

HOME ENERGY GUIDES

WattBasis Editorial Team

9/13/20269 min read

Yes, unplugging certain appliances and electronics can save electricity, because many devices continue consuming power when they appear to be turned off.

This consumption is commonly called standby power, phantom load, or vampire power.

However, unplugging every device in the house is rarely necessary. Some modern products consume almost no electricity while idle, while other devices maintain network connections, instant-start functions, clocks, displays, sensors, or remote-control receivers.

The best approach is to identify the devices with the highest standby consumption and disconnect those that do not need to remain active.

What Is Standby Power?

Standby power is the electricity a device consumes while it is plugged in but not performing its primary function.

A device may use standby power to:

Receive signals from a remote control
Maintain a digital clock
Remain connected to Wi-Fi
Download software updates
provide instant-start functionality
Keep internal sensors active
Charge an internal battery
Store settings or programmed schedules
Display indicator lights
Communicate with other smart-home devices

According to the Berkeley Lab standby power database, any product containing electronic components may consume electricity in standby mode. Standby use in individual modern products is often small, but the combined consumption of many connected devices can become noticeable.

How Much Does One Watt of Standby Power Cost?

A device drawing only 1 watt continuously consumes:

1 watt ÷ 1,000 = 0.001 kW

Annual electricity use:

0.001 kW × 24 hours × 365 days = 8.76 kWh per year

At an electricity price of $0.20 per kWh, the annual cost is:

Annual consumption:

50 W × 24 hours × 365 days ÷ 1,000 = 438 kWh

Annual cost:

438 kWh × $0.20 = $87.60

Therefore, eliminating a single one-watt load will produce only a small saving. Eliminating a combined 25 to 50 watts of unnecessary continuous consumption can make a more visible difference over an entire year.

These calculations are examples, not universal estimates for every home. Your result depends on the number of devices, their standby consumption, your electricity rate, and how long they remain connected.

Use the WattBasis Electricity Cost Calculator to calculate the cost of any measured standby load.

Which Devices May Use Electricity While Turned Off?

Standby consumption is common in electronics that include remote controls, displays, network connections, batteries, or instant-start features.

Potential sources include:

Televisions
Game consoles
Desktop computers
Computer monitors
Printers
Speakers and sound systems
Cable and satellite boxes
Streaming devices
Modems and routers
Smart-home hubs
Microwave ovens with digital clocks
Coffee makers with clocks or programmable controls
Phone and laptop chargers
Adjustable electric furniture
Smart appliances
Garage-door openers
Security cameras
Battery chargers
Older electronic equipment

Not every product in these categories consumes a significant amount of power. Two devices that perform the same function can have very different standby loads.

Devices Most Worth Checking

The greatest savings usually come from devices that combine a measurable standby draw with long periods of inactivity.

Entertainment systems

A television, game console, sound system, streaming device, and other accessories may remain connected continuously even when the system is used only a few hours per week.

Some consoles and televisions also offer instant-start or network standby modes. These features can increase idle consumption compared with deeper energy-saving modes.

Connecting the appropriate entertainment devices to a switched power strip can make it easier to disconnect several loads simultaneously.

Do not disconnect equipment that must remain active to record programs, receive updates, or provide another required function.

Home-office equipment

Printers, monitors, speakers, docking stations, chargers, and desktop accessories may continue drawing electricity after the computer is shut down.

A switched power strip can disconnect nonessential peripherals after work. The computer itself should be shut down correctly before turning off the strip.

Guest-room electronics

A television, clock, charger, or other device in a rarely used room may remain connected all year despite being used only occasionally.

These devices are good candidates for unplugging because the inconvenience is minimal.

Older electronics

Older products may have higher standby consumption than comparable newer models. Instead of assuming an older device is inefficient, measure its actual power draw.

Devices with always-on network features

Smart televisions, consoles, speakers, printers, and other connected products may remain partially active to receive commands or updates.

Check the settings menu for options such as:

Energy-saving mode
Low-power standby
Eco mode
Instant-on mode
Quick start
Network standby
Remote wake
Automatic shutdown

Disabling an unnecessary instant-start feature can reduce standby consumption without requiring the device to be unplugged every day.

Does Unplugging Phone Chargers Save Money?

An unplugged charger cannot consume electricity, so disconnecting it technically saves energy.

However, many modern chargers use very little power when no device is connected. The annual saving from unplugging one efficient charger may therefore be extremely small.

A charger can consume more electricity while:

Charging a connected battery
Keeping a fully charged device connected
Powering an illuminated indicator
Supplying a connected accessory
Remaining connected to a device that performs background activity

Rather than focusing exclusively on one phone charger, look for groups of electronics with a larger combined standby load.

Damaged, excessively hot, recalled, or poor-quality chargers should not remain in use. Follow the charger and device manufacturers’ safety instructions.

Should You Unplug a Television?

Unplugging a television can eliminate its standby consumption, but it may also:

Disable automatic software updates
Prevent scheduled recordings
Disconnect smart-home integrations
Increase startup time
Require the device to reconnect to the network

A better first step is to check for an energy-saving standby setting.

If the television is in a guest room or used only occasionally, unplugging it or switching off its power strip may be practical.

If it is used every day and has a very low measured standby draw, the annual saving may not justify the inconvenience.

Should You Unplug a Game Console?

A game console may use different amounts of electricity depending on its selected power mode.

An instant-on mode may allow remote downloads, background updates, or faster startup. A full shutdown or energy-saving mode can reduce idle consumption.

Check the console settings before unplugging it. Using a low-power shutdown mode may provide most of the available saving while allowing the system to remain connected.

If the console is used infrequently, completely disconnecting it after a proper shutdown may save more.

Should You Unplug Kitchen Appliances?

Small kitchen appliances with clocks, lights, displays, or electronic controls may consume standby power.

Possible examples include:

Microwave ovens
Coffee makers
Toaster ovens with digital controls
Air fryers with displays
Electric kettles with electronic bases
Blenders with touch controls

Unplugging frequently used appliances several times per day may be inconvenient. Focus on appliances that are rarely used or have a measurable idle load.

Do not assume that every traditional appliance consumes standby power. A simple mechanical toaster or appliance without electronic controls may draw no electricity while switched off.

Appliances That Should Normally Remain Plugged In

Some equipment needs continuous electricity for safety, food preservation, connectivity, or essential services.

Do not routinely disconnect:

Refrigerators
Freezers
Medical equipment
Security systems
Smoke or carbon monoxide alarms requiring outlet power
Sump pumps
Internet equipment needed continuously
Heating controls
Smart-home equipment performing essential functions
Devices required for accessibility or emergency communication

A refrigerator or freezer must remain powered to keep food at safe temperatures.

A sump pump must be ready to operate automatically when water activates its float switch. Unplugging it could result in flooding.

Always prioritize safety and essential functions over small electricity savings.

How to Measure Standby Electricity Use

The most reliable method is to measure the device rather than relying on a generic estimate.

A plug-in electricity meter can display the wattage drawn by a device connected to a standard outlet.

Step 1: Connect the meter

Plug the electricity meter into the wall outlet and connect the device to the meter.

Step 2: Turn the device off normally

Wait for the device to enter its normal standby or sleep state. Some electronics require several minutes to finish background activity.

Step 3: Record the standby wattage

Check the meter after the reading stabilizes.

Step 4: Calculate annual consumption

Use:

Annual standby kWh = standby watts × 24 × 365 ÷ 1,000

Step 5: Calculate annual cost

Use:

Annual cost = annual standby kWh × electricity rate

For more detailed instructions, see the WattBasis guide on how to measure appliance energy use.

Example: Measuring an Entertainment Center

Suppose a television, console, speakers, and streaming device have a combined measured standby load of 12 watts.

Annual consumption:

12 W × 24 hours × 365 days ÷ 1,000 = 105.12 kWh

At $0.20 per kWh, the estimated annual cost is:

105.12 kWh × $0.20 = $21.02 per year

If the equipment must remain available in standby for four hours each day but can be fully disconnected for the remaining 20 hours, the avoidable consumption would be:

12 W × 20 hours × 365 days ÷ 1,000 = 87.6 kWh per year

Estimated saving:

87.6 kWh × $0.20 = $17.52 per year

This is a more realistic calculation than assuming the equipment can remain disconnected continuously.

Use a Switched Power Strip

A switched power strip can disconnect several compatible devices at once.

Possible groups include:

Television and entertainment accessories
Computer monitor, speakers, and printer
Chargers used in the same location
Guest-room electronics
Workshop battery chargers

A standard power strip does not automatically stop standby consumption merely because devices are connected to it. Its main switch must be turned off, or the strip must include controls designed to disconnect selected outlets.

Never exceed the power strip’s rated capacity. High-power heating or cooking appliances may require a direct wall connection according to their manufacturer’s instructions.

Advanced Power Strips

An advanced power strip can automatically disconnect selected devices when a primary device is turned off.

For example, turning off a television could also disconnect:

Speakers
A game console
A media player
Other entertainment accessories

Some advanced strips include always-on outlets for devices that must retain power, such as a recorder or network device.

This can reduce standby consumption without requiring every plug to be removed manually.

Smart Plugs and Timers

A smart plug or timer can disconnect equipment according to a schedule.

For example, home-office accessories could be turned off automatically overnight.

However, the smart plug itself consumes a small amount of electricity. It makes the most sense when the electricity it eliminates is greater than its own consumption.

Measure both the connected load and the smart plug whenever possible.

Can Unplugging Appliances Lower a High Electric Bill?

It can help, but standby power is not usually the first place to look when a bill increases dramatically.

Large electricity expenses are more commonly associated with devices such as:

Electric heating
Air conditioning
Electric water heating
Clothes dryers
Pool pumps
Dehumidifiers
Electric vehicle charging
Refrigerators or freezers with operating problems
Well pumps or sump pumps running unusually often

A 1,500-watt space heater running for one hour uses the same amount of electricity as a one-watt standby device uses in approximately 1,500 hours.

Therefore, eliminating standby consumption is useful, but reducing unnecessary runtime from high-power equipment may produce much larger savings.

If your bill increased unexpectedly, review the WattBasis guide explaining why an electric bill can suddenly go up.

How to Prioritize Devices

You do not need to unplug everything. Use the following order.

First: Measure devices used infrequently

Equipment that remains connected for months while rarely being used offers easy savings with little inconvenience.

Second: Check groups of electronics

Entertainment centers and home offices can contain several standby loads in one location.

Third: Disable unnecessary instant-on features

Energy-saving settings may reduce consumption without requiring daily unplugging.

Fourth: Use switched power strips

Group compatible devices so that several loads can be disconnected with one switch.

Fifth: Ignore negligible loads

If a device has no measurable standby consumption or costs only a few cents per year, focus your effort elsewhere.

How Much Could You Save?

The answer depends on the total avoidable standby load.

At $0.20 per kWh:

Eliminating 5 continuous watts saves approximately $8.76 per year
Eliminating 10 continuous watts saves approximately $17.52 per year
Eliminating 25 continuous watts saves approximately $43.80 per year
Eliminating 50 continuous watts saves approximately $87.60 per year

Your actual savings may be smaller because some equipment needs to remain active or will be disconnected for only part of each day.

Find the price you actually pay per kWh using the WattBasis guide on how to find your electricity rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do appliances consume electricity when switched off?

Some do and some do not. Devices with electronic controls, clocks, remote receivers, network connections, or instant-start features are more likely to consume standby power.

Does turning off a power strip save electricity?

Yes, turning off the power strip disconnects power from the devices connected to its switched outlets. Simply plugging devices into a normal power strip does not eliminate standby use.

Is it worth unplugging a microwave?

It depends on its measured standby consumption and how often it is used. The saving from disconnecting only the digital clock may be small, and frequent unplugging can be inconvenient.

Is it worth unplugging a charger?

It saves some electricity, but an efficient modern charger with nothing connected may consume very little. Replace damaged chargers and prioritize devices with a larger measured standby load.

Does unplugging devices protect them from power surges?

Physically disconnecting a device isolates it from surges arriving through the electrical outlet. However, devices connected through other cables may still have additional paths. A properly selected surge protector can provide protection without requiring daily unplugging.

Can frequent unplugging damage an outlet?

Repeatedly pulling plugs incorrectly can wear the plug or outlet over time. Grip the plug rather than pulling on its cable. Stop using loose, damaged, discolored, or unusually hot outlets and plugs.

Bottom Line

Unplugging appliances can save electricity, but the saving from one efficient device may be very small.

The most effective strategy is to find groups of electronics or older devices with measurable standby consumption and disconnect them when they are not needed.

At $0.20 per kWh, eliminating a continuous 25-watt phantom load would save approximately 219 kWh and $43.80 per year.

Use a plug-in electricity meter, activate energy-saving modes, and connect compatible equipment to switched power strips. Leave refrigerators, freezers, sump pumps, medical devices, security equipment, and other essential systems connected.

Standby power is worth reducing, but if your goal is a substantially lower electric bill, also examine high-wattage equipment and long daily runtimes.