ELECTRICITY prices are on the rise in the US, but you could be paying more than you need to due to vampire energy costs.
And, you may be spending more money on energy without realizing it.
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In an exclusive chat with The U.S. Sun, Energy expert Don Whaley urged: “The truth is that just because you turned the device off, doesn’t necessarily mean it stops using electricity.
“Some electronic devices that are off but remain plugged into a power source will continue to draw electricity – these devices are called energy vampires.”
There are three appliances to look for that secretly raises your bills – computers, air conditioners, and your cable box.
1. COMPUTER
The desktop computer takes around 100W to 300W of active power.
This means that on average, your desktop is wasting 65.7kW/H.
If you leave it plugged in, this equates to $10.47 wasted every year unnecessarily.
2. AIR CONDITIONER
The second highest vampire energy consumer is the central air conditioner.
This device takes in 52.6kW/H on average annually.
Those who do not unplug could waste about $8.38.
3. CABLE BOX
The third-highest draining device is a tie between your cable box and your Wi-Fi router.
Both of these devices waste 43.8kW/H on a yearly basis, which comes to $6.89 you could’ve saved.
DEFEAT THE VAMPIRES
There are some simple ways you can cut down on your vampire energy.
You could use a power strip that can be easily turned on and off, which could cut power to multiple devices all at the same time.
This does require the action of turning on and off the strip, but it will save you remembering exactly which devices you need to unplug.
Alternatively, home automation systems allow you to set schedules for your electrical appliances.
The systems can be integrated with smart plugs to improve your energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR is an appliance labeling program is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It indicates that a product has been tested according to EPA guidelines.
Addressing the energy vampires in your home
Addressing the energy draining devices in your home is a key way to slash your energy bills.
There are several actionable steps that homeowners and renters can take to reduce the standby power used in their households:
- Unplug devices when not in use: this is the most effective way to get rid of phantom loads.
- Use power strips: power strips with on and off switches make it easy to power off several devices at a time. Smart power strips are even more convenient, as they automatically turn off devices in standby mode.
- Identify and address specific appliances: check for home for electronic devices that are consistently using power even when off.
- Utilize energy-saving features: take advantage of sleep modes and other energy-saving settings on your electronics.
- Consider energy-efficient alternatives: look for appliances with lower standby power consumption such as products with the Energy Star label, as they are designed to be more energy-efficient.
Looking for this notice on a new product can let you know that the energy consumption is good.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The rise of electricity costs and vampire electricity costs go together, as the average rate in the U.S. increased from 15.44 to 15.95 cents per kW/h.
This was between January 2024 and January 2025, which represents a 3.25% hike over the year.
For context, if you were spending $200 on electricity you didn’t need, in 2025 you are spending $206 wastefully.
If this continues, you will be spending over $300 a year on devices you aren’t even using, but are draining electricity nonetheless.
Vampire energy also accounts for around 1% of global CO2 emissions.
According to a survey from the NRDC, the amount of vampire energy wasted nationwide is the same as the output of 50 large power plants.
