Many people don’t realize that common household appliances continue to consume electricity even when turned off. These “energy vampires” can silently add $100 to $200 to your utility bill each year. For example, a single phone charger left plugged in—without even charging a phone—can waste about $9 annually.
Multiply that by several chargers, and the cost quickly adds up. Kitchen appliances like coffee makers and slow cookers can waste $20 to $25 each, even when idle. Entertainment systems are worse: gaming consoles in standby mode can drain over $100 per year. Office equipment such as computers and printers also draw power when not in use, costing another $80 annually.
