Illustration of a person sitting on a couch surrounded by multiple plugged-in laptops and tablets, with text reading "How to save energy in your daily life by unplugging your devices.

Unplug Your Devices: How to Save Energy in Daily Life & Lower Your Electricity Bill

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to save energy in your daily life is by unplugging your devices when they're not in use. This small habit can lead to significant energy savings, lower electricity bills, and a reduced environmental impact.

Yet, despite knowing that unplugging devices can save energy, many of us still don’t do it. Why?

It’s not that we don’t care—it’s often because we underestimate its impact, we’re too busy, or sometimes, just plain lazy. Unplugging a charger or turning off a power strip seems like such a small action that we convince ourselves it won’t make a difference.

But the truth is, these tiny habits add up, and ignoring them means wasted electricity and higher costs.

So, let’s take a deeper look into why unplugging matters, how phantom energy drains power even when devices are off, and the simple steps you can take to make energy-saving effortless.

The Hidden Energy Drain: Understanding Phantom Energy

Phantom energy, also known as vampire power or ghost power, is the electricity that devices use even when they are turned off but still plugged in. This wasted energy increases your electricity bill without you realizing it.

Example: Imagine leaving your phone charger plugged into the wall after unplugging your phone. Even though it’s not charging anything, the charger still draws power from the outlet. Over time, this small energy drain adds up, leading to unnecessary electricity waste.

To save energy, simply unplug devices when they’re not in use or use a smart power strip to cut off phantom power automatically

Phantom Energy is Real: Unplug Your Devices to Fight Back

We’re all guilty of it—leaving our chargers, appliances, and electronics plugged in even when they’re not in use. It seems harmless, but this habit contributes to phantom energy, also known as vampire power or ghost power, where devices continue to draw electricity even when switched off.

You might think a little wasted energy here and there doesn’t make much of a difference, but phantom power can account for 5% to 10% of your total electricity bill—money you’re spending on power you’re not even using!

Now, imagine this happening in millions of households worldwide. The total energy wasted is staggering—enough to power entire cities. This invisible drain on resources not only costs us more but also increases our environmental footprint.

How Does Phantom Energy Work?

When you turn off your TV, computer, or microwave, they may appear to be completely off, but they’re often still drawing small amounts of power. This is because they remain in standby mode to maintain features like:

Remote control functionality (e.g., TVs, sound systems)

Digital clocks (e.g., microwaves, coffee makers).

Instant-on capabilities (e.g., gaming consoles, smart devices).

Even though these features are convenient, they come at a cost—both to your wallet and the planet.

Examples of Phantom Energy Consumption

Here’s how much energy common devices waste in standby mode:

1-5 watts

Computer

2-10 watts

Microwave

1-3 watts

Gaming Console

5-10 watts

Source: Repsol

How to save energy in daily life: Practical Tips to Reduce Phantom Energy at Home

Adopting the habit of unplugging devices to save energy is easy and requires minimal effort. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

Your phone, laptop, and tablet chargers continue to draw power even when they’re not connected to a device. Simply unplugging them after use

Plug your TV, gaming console, computer, and other electronics into a power strip. Turn off the power strip when these devices are not in use.

Appliances like toasters, coffee makers, and microwaves often remain plugged in 24/7. Unplug them when not in use.

Devices like sound systems, DVD players, and gaming consoles often stay in standby mode, consuming energy. Unplug them to manage their energy use.

benefits of unplugging appliances

By unplugging appliances
to save energy, you can enjoy several benefits:

Reducing phantom energy consumption isn't just good for the environment—it directly impacts your wallet too! On average, eliminating phantom power can save a household around $70 per year.

Now, $70 might not seem like a huge amount—after all, many of us spend more than that on coffee or streaming subscriptions without thinking twice.

But here’s the bigger picture:

According to the Department of Energy

$70 saved per year = around 700-900 kWh of electricity saved, depending on your local electricity rate (typically $0.08–$0.12 per kWh).
That’s enough to power a refrigerator for about 6 months or run a ceiling fan non-stop for nearly 2 years!
Imagine millions of households saving that much—the cumulative impact on global energy consumption would be staggering.

So, while it might feel like a small individual effort, collectively, these savings can drive real change, lower energy demand, and reduce strain on power grids.

Why waste money on energy you don’t even use?
Start unplugging today!

Why unplugging your devices Matters:

Each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity saved = Less demand for power plants

Many power plants still rely on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other harmful gases into the atmosphere.

By eliminating phantom power, the average household can prevent the emission of hundreds of pounds of CO₂ annually—equivalent to not driving a car for weeks!

Extended Device Lifespan: Protect Your Gadgets, Save More

Unplugging devices isn’t just about saving electricity—it’s about protecting your expensive electronics and making them last longer.

Every time you leave a device plugged in, even when turned off, it continues to draw power. This constant energy flow generates heat, leading to wear and tear on internal components. Over time, this can shorten the lifespan of your gadgets and appliances.

But that’s not all! Power surges, whether from lightning, grid fluctuations, or sudden outages, can damage delicate circuits in your electronics. By simply unplugging devices when not in use, you:

Reduce internal stress on electronic components

Lower the risk of damage from unexpected power surges

Extend the lifespan of your gadgets, saving you money on replacements

How Much You Can Save by Unplugging Devices

On average, a single household can save around 70 kWh per year just by unplugging unused devices.

That’s the equivalent of:

Powering a refrigerator for over a month

Running a ceiling fan continuously for nearly a year

Charging a smartphone over 8,000 times

The Power of Collective Action by unplugging your devices

FAQs About Saving Energy by Unplugging Devices

Does unplugging devices really save electricity?

Yes! Unplugging devices prevents phantom energy loss, which can account for 5–10% of your electricity bill. Devices continue to draw power even when turned off, so unplugging them can help save money and energy.

What is phantom power, and how does it affect my electricity bill?

Phantom power (also known as vampire power or ghost power) is the energy consumed by electronic devices when they are plugged in but not actively in use. This wasted energy can increase your electricity costs by up to $70 per year.

Which household devices consume the most phantom energy?

Some of the biggest culprits of phantom energy waste include:Phone and laptop chargers TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices Microwaves, coffee makers, and toasters Printers and desktop computers

How can I reduce phantom power without unplugging everything manually?

You can use smart power strips or smart plugs that automatically cut power to devices when they’re not in use. This saves energy without the hassle of unplugging everything manually.