Cut your energy bill: Unplug these 5 standard devices
3:11 PM EDT, June 20, 2024
Did you know that devices in your home might consume electricity even when you're not using them? These devices can contribute to your electricity bill, even if they seem dormant. Let's explore which devices are worth unplugging to save money.
Leaving a plug in the socket can sometimes be like throwing money away. It can still draw power even if you're not actively using a device. After conducting detailed analyses, we've identified five devices that are particularly prone to consuming energy without us realizing it.
Which devices consume power in standby mode?
Devices that draw power in standby mode are so common that you likely have several in your home. Knowing how much energy these devices use over a year could lead to significant savings.
Phone charger
It's common practice to leave the charger plugged in. Many of us unplug our phones in the morning and rush to work, forgetting about the charger. While it draws only a small amount of energy (1.2 W) over the course of a year, it can cost about $1.
TV set-top box
The set-top box can be a big surprise because if we don't switch it to standby mode, it continues to consume power even when the TV is off. Annual costs can be up to $100.
TV
The TV in standby mode also uses a small amount of energy (1-5 W), which can translate to $1-$5 over the course of a year. Newer TV models, however, have built-in systems that help save energy.
Laptop
Frequent use of a laptop also affects energy consumption. Constantly charging the device damages its battery, and not unplugging it from the power source costs us about $2 annually. It's worth spending that money on something else.
Devices with clocks
Kitchen appliances such as gas stoves, microwaves, or ovens often have a clock display function. Even when we are not using them, they consume power to run the clocks (about 1.2 W), which translates to $10 annually.
In summary, devices left in standby mode can consume about $120 per year. Therefore, it's worth unplugging chargers and switching the set-top box to standby mode—small actions significantly reduce your electricity bill!
