Does Unplugging Appliances Save Electricity? The Truth About “Vampire Power” (And What to Do About It)

Phone and laptop chargers (plugged in, no device)
Smart TVs, soundbars, game consoles
Coffee makers with digital clocks
Computers, printers, monitors
Chargers for controllers, vacuum cleaners, toothbrushes
Microwaves (hello, light-up clock)
These tiny suckers can consume 5 to 10% of the electricity used in your home each year—the equivalent of paying for a spare room that’s never used.

How much can you actually save?
Let’s face it:

Going offline won’t make you rich.
But it can save you $100 to $200 a year, depending on your setup.

Here’s a quick rundown of what some popular devices cost:

Game Console (PS5/Xbox)

$30-$60

Set-top Box/Satellite Receiver

$40-$80

Coffee Maker (with clock)

$10-$15

Laptop Charger (always plugged in)

$5-$10

TV + Soundbar

$25-$50

Multiply that across multiple devices? That’s real money, slowly draining your wallet.