Does Unplugging Appliances Really Save Electricity? A Look at “Vampire Power”

How Much Money Can You Really Save?

It’s important to be realistic about what you can save by unplugging devices. “Unplugging won’t make you rich,” but it can certainly help you save some money. Depending on your home and the number of devices you have, you could save anywhere from $100 to $200 per year. That’s a significant amount of money that can be put toward other things.

To give you an idea of the costs, here is a look at what some common devices can cost you just by sitting there in “standby” mode:

• Gaming Console (like a PS5 or Xbox): This can cost you between $30 and $60 a year.
• Cable Box or Satellite Receiver: These devices are a big energy drain, costing anywhere from $40 to $80 each year.
• Coffee Maker (with a clock): Even a small appliance can add up, costing $10 to $15 per year.
• Laptop Charger (always plugged in): This costs a small amount, around $5 to $10 a year.
• TV and Soundbar: Together, these can cost between $25 and $50 a year.

When you multiply these costs across multiple devices in your home, you can see that it’s “real money—slowly bleeding out of your wallet.” Taking simple steps to stop this can help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

Important Note: Don’t Unplug Everything!

Before you start “yanking every cord in sight,” it’s important to know that you should not unplug certain appliances. Safety and convenience are key.

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