How much does standby power cost?

Standby power costs vary by device and electricity rate. A device using 5 watts in standby mode 24/7 costs approximately $5-6 per year at average electricity rates ($0.12/kWh). However, multiple devices can add up quickly - a typical home may have 20-40 devices drawing standby power, costing $100-200+ per year.

What are energy vampire appliances?

Energy vampires are devices that consume electricity even when turned off or in standby mode. Common examples include TVs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, computers, chargers, routers, microwaves, and smart speakers. These devices draw power to maintain clocks, remote control receivers, network connections, or instant-on features.

How can I reduce standby power costs?

Unplug devices when not in use, use power strips with on/off switches to cut power to multiple devices, choose Energy Star certified devices with lower standby consumption, enable power-saving modes, and replace old devices with more efficient models. Smart power strips can automatically cut power when devices are not in use.

What is phantom energy?

Phantom energy (also called vampire power, standby power, or ghost load) is electricity consumed by devices when they are turned off or in standby mode. This accounts for 5-10% of household electricity use, costing the average household $100-200 per year. Many devices continue drawing power to maintain clocks, remote receivers, or network connections.

How do I measure standby power consumption?

Use a watt meter or energy monitor to measure actual standby power. Plug the device into the meter and check the reading when the device is off or in standby. You can also check device labels or manufacturer specifications, though actual consumption may vary. This calculator helps you estimate costs based on known wattage.

Which appliances use the most standby power?

Cable boxes and DVRs typically use the most standby power (10-30 watts). Gaming consoles, routers, modems, and smart speakers also consume significant standby power (5-15 watts). TVs, computers, and chargers use less (1-5 watts) but are often left on 24/7. The cumulative effect of multiple devices is what makes standby power costly.

Energy Vampire Appliance Standby Cost Calculator

Calculate how much standby power (phantom energy) costs per year. Find out which appliances are energy vampires and their true cost.

Standby Power Consumption (Watts)Power consumption when device is in standby/off mode (check device label or use common values below)

Electricity Rate ($/kWh)Your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour. Check your utility bill. National average is $0.12/kWh.

Hours Per Day (Standby)How many hours per day the device is in standby mode (typically 24 for always-on devices)

Common Appliance Standby Power (Watts)

TV (Standby): 1W

Cable Box: 15W

Gaming Console (Standby): 10W

Computer (Sleep): 2W

Microwave (Clock): 3W

Coffee Maker (Clock): 1W

Charger (Plugged in): 0.5W

Router: 6W

Modem: 5W

Smart Speaker: 2W

Click any appliance to use its standby power value

How This Tool Works

This calculator determines the cost of standby power (phantom energy) consumption. Many devices continue drawing electricity even when turned off or in standby mode, which can add up to significant costs over time. This tool helps you identify energy vampires and understand their true cost.

Standby power accounts for 5-10% of household electricity use, costing the average household $100-200 per year. By identifying and reducing standby power consumption, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact. This calculator shows the exact cost based on device wattage, electricity rate, and hours of standby operation.

Formula

The calculations are based on:

Kilowatts = Watts / 1000
Daily kWh = Kilowatts × Hours Per Day
Daily Cost = Daily kWh × Electricity Rate
Monthly Cost = Daily Cost × 30.44
Annual Cost = Daily Cost × 365

For example, 5 watts standby power, $0.12/kWh, 24 hours/day:

Kilowatts = 5 / 1000 = 0.005 kW
Daily kWh = 0.005 × 24 = 0.12 kWh
Daily Cost = 0.12 × $0.12 = $0.0144
Annual Cost = $0.0144 × 365 = $5.26

Common Energy Vampire Appliances

Cable Box/DVR: 15-30 watts (costs $15-30/year) - one of the biggest energy vampires
Gaming Console (Standby): 10-15 watts (costs $10-15/year)
Router/Modem: 5-10 watts combined (costs $5-10/year)
TV (Standby): 1-3 watts (costs $1-3/year)
Computer (Sleep): 1-5 watts (costs $1-5/year)
Smart Speaker: 2-5 watts (costs $2-5/year)
Charger (Plugged in): 0.5-2 watts (costs $0.50-2/year)
Microwave (Clock): 3-5 watts (costs $3-5/year)

Tips to Reduce Standby Power Costs

Use Power Strips: Plug multiple devices into a power strip and turn it off when not in use
Smart Power Strips: Automatically cut power to devices when not in use
Unplug Chargers: Remove chargers from outlets when not charging devices
Enable Power Saving: Use power-saving modes on computers, TVs, and other devices
Choose Energy Star: Select Energy Star certified devices with lower standby consumption
Measure First: Use a watt meter to identify which devices use the most standby power
Replace Old Devices: Newer devices often have lower standby power consumption

FAQ

How much does standby power cost?
Standby power costs vary by device and electricity rate. A device using 5 watts in standby mode 24/7 costs approximately $5-6 per year at average electricity rates ($0.12/kWh). However, multiple devices can add up quickly - a typical home may have 20-40 devices drawing standby power, costing $100-200+ per year.
What are energy vampire appliances?
Energy vampires are devices that consume electricity even when turned off or in standby mode. Common examples include TVs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, computers, chargers, routers, microwaves, and smart speakers. These devices draw power to maintain clocks, remote control receivers, network connections, or instant-on features.
How can I reduce standby power costs?
Unplug devices when not in use, use power strips with on/off switches to cut power to multiple devices, choose Energy Star certified devices with lower standby consumption, enable power-saving modes, and replace old devices with more efficient models. Smart power strips can automatically cut power when devices are not in use.
What is phantom energy?
Phantom energy (also called vampire power, standby power, or ghost load) is electricity consumed by devices when they are turned off or in standby mode. This accounts for 5-10% of household electricity use, costing the average household $100-200 per year. Many devices continue drawing power to maintain clocks, remote receivers, or network connections.
How do I measure standby power consumption?
Use a watt meter or energy monitor to measure actual standby power. Plug the device into the meter and check the reading when the device is off or in standby. You can also check device labels or manufacturer specifications, though actual consumption may vary. This calculator helps you estimate costs based on known wattage.
Which appliances use the most standby power?
Cable boxes and DVRs typically use the most standby power (10-30 watts). Gaming consoles, routers, modems, and smart speakers also consume significant standby power (5-15 watts). TVs, computers, and chargers use less (1-5 watts) but are often left on 24/7. The cumulative effect of multiple devices is what makes standby power costly.