There’s something strange in your house… and it’s draining your energy.
You might not see it. You might not hear it. But it’s there, quietly haunting your electric bill month after month.
It’s called phantom energy, also known as standby power or vampire energy. It’s the electricity used by devices that stay plugged in, even when they’re turned “off.”
While one device alone doesn’t waste much energy, all those tiny power drains can add up, costing the average household $100 per year in wasted electricity.
What is phantom energy?
Phantom energy is the electricity your devices draw while in standby mode. Anything with a light, clock, or remote-controlled sensor likely uses power even when you’re not using it.
That includes things like:
- TVs and streaming boxes
- Game consoles
- Computers and monitors
- Coffee makers
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Cable modems and routers
- Smart speakers and appliances
How to spot phantom loads in your home
You don’t need special ghost-hunting gear to find hidden energy wasters. An energy monitor or smart plug can help you see how much electricity your devices use when idle. Many plug-in meters cost under $25 and display real-time energy use in watts or dollars.
As a PG&E customer, you can also take advantage of HomeIntel—a free service that provides personalized reports to help you identify where your home might be wasting energy, including phantom loads. Learn more about HomeIntel and other efficiency programs on PG&E’s energy-saving programs page.
Which appliances are the biggest energy vampires?
Some devices sip electricity; others guzzle it. Here are a few of the biggest offenders:
- Televisions and streaming boxes: They can use a lot of energy, especially if they have instant-on features or are connected to smart home systems.
- Cable or satellite boxes: They can use almost as much energy when they’re “off” as when they’re on.
- Game consoles: Even in idle mode, they can still draw 10-30 watts.
- Routers and modems: They are always running, always drawing power.
- Chargers: Devices with a “wall wart” plug, like phone or laptop chargers, still use energy when plugged in, even when they’re not actively charging.
How to banish phantom energy from your home
The good news? You just need a few smart habits:
- Unplug devices when not in use: Focus on the ones you rarely use, like guest room TVs or unused chargers.
- Use smart power strips: They automatically cut power to devices in standby mode.
- Group electronics together: Plug your TV, sound system, and streaming devices into one power strip so you can switch them all off at once.
- Set devices to sleep: Check your TV, game console, and computer settings to enable energy-saving modes.
- Upgrade to more efficient models: Newer ENERGY STAR® electronics use far less standby power than other electronics.
Keep your energy bill from getting haunted
Phantom energy may seem small, but it’s like leaving a light on all day in a room you never enter. By unplugging and upgrading smartly, you can save money and shrink your carbon footprint without noticing a difference in your daily routine.
And if you’re ready to take your energy savings even further, explore Peninsula Clean Energy’s Rebate Finder. You’ll discover local, state, and federal incentives for efficient appliances, smart home tech, and more with no ghost-hunting required.
