Unleash Savings: Unplug These 15 Hidden Energy Drainers

Most people don’t know that their homes are packed with gadgets that keep using electricity even when they aren’t being used. These hidden energy users, often called “energy vampires,” can make your electricity bills more expensive than necessary.

The Department of Energy says the average American family spends about $2,200 a year on energy bills. Shockingly, about 10% of that amount comes from devices that stay plugged in but aren’t being used.

Now, we’ll look at 15 common devices that might be adding unnecessary costs to your energy bill. We’ll explain how much power they use and how much money you could save by unplugging them when they’re not in use. 

Let’s get started and see how we can keep more money in your pocket! 

TV

Your TV uses power even when it’s off, if it’s still plugged in. Newer TVs use about 1-5 watts when they’re not on. Unplugging your TV when you’re not using it can save you $1-$5 each year.

This might not seem like a lot, but it’s a simple way to stop wasting energy. The easiest way is to unplug your TV or use a power strip to turn off the power when you’re not watching.

Laptop

It’s common to keep laptops plugged in all the time, but this wastes energy and can harm your laptop’s battery. A laptop usually uses 5-20 watts when charging. If you leave it plugged in for no reason, it might cost you about $2 extra each year.

To save energy and make your battery last longer, unplug your laptop when it’s fully charged. Plug it in again only when the battery is running low.

Desktop Computers

Desktop computers use a lot of energy, even when they’re not being used. A typical desktop uses about 9.5 watts when it’s off but still plugged in, which can cost around $12 per year.

To save this energy, turn off your computer completely when you’re finished using it, especially at night or if you’ll be away for a while. It’s a simple habit that can lead to real savings.

Phone Charger

Many of us leave our phone chargers plugged in all the time, even when we’re not charging our phones. A typical phone charger uses about 1.2 watts of power when it’s plugged in but not charging anything. 

This might only cost you about $1 per year, but it’s an easy habit to change. When you unplug your fully charged phone, try to remember to unplug the charger too. It’s a small step that can add up to savings over time. 

Speakers and Sound Systems

Your sound system might be ready to play at a moment’s notice, but that means it’s always using power. In standby mode, speakers and sound systems typically use 5-10 watts, costing about $10 per year. 

If you don’t use your sound system daily, try unplugging it when not in use. You’ll save energy without losing any sound quality when you do use it.

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Heated Blankets and Mattress Pads

Heated blankets and mattress pads can make cold nights more comfortable, but they can also use a significant amount of energy. These items typically use 50-100 watts while in use, which can add up to $20-$40 in annual energy costs. 

To save energy, make sure to unplug these items when you’re not using them. Even when turned off, they can draw a small amount of power if left plugged in. 

EV Charger

If you own an electric vehicle, you’re already making a great choice for the environment. But did you know your EV charger can use energy even when it’s not charging your car? An idle EV charger typically uses 10-20 watts of power. 

This can add up to $10-$20 in annual savings if you unplug it when your vehicle is fully charged. It’s a simple habit to develop: once your car is charged, unplug the charger until you need it again. This small step can lead to noticeable savings over time.

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TV Set-Top Box

Your cable or satellite box is likely one of the biggest energy users in your home, even when you’re not watching TV. These boxes use between 15-30 watts when they’re on, and 10-20 watts when they’re in standby mode. 

By turning them off completely when you’re not using them, you could save up to $100 a year. Try plugging your set-top box into a power strip that you can easily switch off when you’re done watching TV. 

Blenders 

The blender on your counter might look safe, but it uses 1-2 watts of power just by being plugged in. This only saves you about $1-$2 each year, but it’s easy to fix.

If you don’t use your blender every day, try keeping it unplugged and plug it in only when you need it. This small change can help with your total energy savings.

Game Consoles

Gaming consoles are fun, but they use a lot of energy. In standby mode, they usually use 10-20 watts, which might cost you about $15 each year.

When you finish gaming, try turning off the console completely instead of leaving it on standby. This easy step can save you money and energy without changing your gaming experience.

Printers

Most of us don’t print every day, but many keep printers plugged in all the time. A printer on standby uses about 5-10 watts, which can save you about $10 per year if you unplug it when not in use.

If you don’t print daily, try unplugging your printer after each use. You’ll save energy without any trouble.

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Devices with Clocks

Look around your kitchen. How many appliances do you see with digital clocks? Your microwave, oven, coffee maker, and other devices with clocks typically use about 1.2 watts all the time just to keep those clocks running. 

This can add up to around $10 in extra costs each year. While it might not be practical to unplug everything all the time, consider unplugging appliances you don’t use every day, or when you go on vacation. Every bit of energy saved helps lower your bills and is better for the environment.

Power Tool Chargers

Many of us keep our power tool chargers plugged in all the time, ready for when we need them. These chargers for items like drills or lawn mowers use about 5-10 watts even when no tool is attached. 

By unplugging them when not in use, you could save $5-$10 per year. Next time you finish a project, take a moment to unplug your chargers. Your tools will still be ready when you need them, but you won’t be paying for power you’re not using.

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Clocks and TVs in Guest Rooms

Guest rooms often sit unused for long periods, but the electronics in them keep using power. A TV in standby mode uses 1-5 watts, while a clock uses about 1.2 watts. Together, these could cost you $2-$6 annually if left plugged in all the time. 

Unless you have frequent guests, consider unplugging these devices. You can easily plug them back in when visitors arrive, saving energy in the meantime.

Wireless Routers

In our connected world, wireless routers are almost always on. They typically use 5-10 watts of power continuously, which can add up to $10-$15 in annual energy costs. 

While you might not want to unplug your router frequently, consider turning it off when you’re away for extended periods or overnight if you don’t need constant connection. You could use a timer to automate this process and save energy without any inconvenience. But then again, that timer consumes power.

Your Path to Energy Savings

Now that you’ve seen these energy-wasting devices, it’s time to act. Turning them off when not in use can save you between $75 and $250 each year. That’s money back in your pocket for things that are important to you.

Every small change helps. Start with one or two devices and go on from there. Use power strips for ease, make turning them off part of your daily routine, or buy smart plugs to make it automatic.

The best part? You’re not just saving money, you’re also helping the environment. Using less energy means a smaller impact on the planet. It’s a good deal for everyone.

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.