Phantom load: what 40 plugged-in devices really cost.
The standby figures below are compiled from the LBNL standby power database and ENERGY STAR labelled-device measurements, with spot checks against plug-load meters (Kill-A-Watt P3 P4400, Emporia Vue) across 40 common household devices. The aggregate phantom load in a typical US home works out to 120-180 W average — that's $190-280/yr at the US average $0.175/kWh. Below is the table that tells you which devices are worth unplugging and which are noise.
The big offenders
| Device | Standby W | $/yr @ $0.175 |
|---|---|---|
| Cable DVR / set-top box (DirecTV Genie, Xfinity X1) | 22-35 | $34-$54 |
| PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series X (instant-on) | 10-22 | $15-$34 |
| AV receiver (Denon, Yamaha, Sony) | 8-15 | $12-$23 |
| Older laser printer | 5-12 | $8-$18 |
| Powered subwoofer | 5-10 | $8-$15 |
| External USB hard drive | 4-8 | $6-$12 |
| Older microwave (digital clock) | 3-6 | $5-$9 |
| Wi-Fi router (always on) | 6-12 | $9-$18 |
| Modem (always on) | 5-9 | $8-$14 |
| Garage door opener | 2-5 | $3-$8 |
Not worth unplugging
| Device | Standby W | $/yr |
|---|---|---|
| Phone charger (idle, no phone) | 0.05-0.2 | $0.08-$0.30 |
| Amazon Echo Dot / Google Nest Mini | 1.5-2.5 | $2-$4 |
| Modern OLED TV (2022+) | 0.4-0.9 | $0.60-$1.40 |
| Energy Star printer | 0.5-1.5 | $0.80-$2 |
| Modern microwave (no clock) | 0.1-0.5 | $0.15-$0.75 |
Add up one home-theatre corner
Take a typical living-room stack and use the midpoint of each range from the table above. Each device runs 24 h/day, 365 days, at the 2026 US average rate of $0.175/kWh. The yearly formula is the same for every row: kWh/yr = watts × 24 × 365 ÷ 1,000, then cost = kWh × $0.175.
| Cable DVR / set-top box — 28.5 W × 24 × 365 ÷ 1,000 = 250 kWh | $43.69 / yr |
| PS5 in instant-on — 16 W → 140 kWh | $24.53 / yr |
| AV receiver — 11.5 W → 101 kWh | $17.63 / yr |
| Older laser printer — 8.5 W → 74 kWh | $13.03 / yr |
| Powered subwoofer — 7.5 W → 66 kWh | $11.50 / yr |
| External USB hard drive — 6 W → 53 kWh | $9.20 / yr |
| Total — 78 W standby → 683 kWh | $119.57 / yr |
Different gear or rate? Drop your own standby watts and your electricity rate into the electricity cost calculator for an exact figure.
The single cheapest fix
An advanced smart power strip ($25-$45) that detects "master device off" and cuts power to peripherals. Common setup: TV plugged into master outlet, AV receiver + game console + soundbar + sub on "switched" outlets. When you turn off the TV, the strip waits 5 seconds and kills the other four.
Typical year-1 savings: $45-$90. ROI under 6 months. The TrickleStar 7-Outlet (UL-listed, used in NV Energy's commercial rebate program) is the reference unit.
What's actually worth unplugging
Worth the effort
- Cable DVR / set-top box — 22-35 W, up to $54/yr. The single biggest phantom load in most homes.
- Game console in instant-on — 10-22 W, up to $34/yr. Switch it to "energy saving" mode; you lose nothing but a few seconds of wake time.
- AV receiver + powered subwoofer + external drive — 17-33 W combined. Put them on a smart strip behind the TV and they vanish together.
- Older laser printer — 5-12 W. Unplug it or use a switched outlet; you only print a few times a week.
Not worth the hassle
- Phone chargers — 0.05-0.2 W, about $0.20/yr each. You'd unplug it 365 times to save the price of a coffee.
- Smart speakers — 1.5-2.5 W, $2-4/yr, and unplugging defeats the point of having them.
- Modern OLED TVs and Energy Star printers — under 1 W. Already engineered to a near-zero standby spec.
- Wi-Fi router and modem — 5-12 W, but cutting them drops your whole network; leave them on.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does standby power use?
A typical US home: 80-220 W standby = 700-1,900 kWh/yr = $120-330/yr at average rates. 5-10% of total residential use.
Which devices are the biggest phantom loads?
Cable DVRs (22-35 W), game consoles in instant-on (10-22 W), AV receivers, older printers, and external hard drives. Smart speakers and modern TVs are surprisingly low.
Is unplugging chargers worth it?
No. Modern chargers draw 0.05-0.2 W idle = ~$0.20/yr. Focus on the big loads.
Sources: LBNL standby power database (2024 update), ENERGY STAR labelled-device list, with spot verifications using Kill-A-Watt P3 P4400 and Emporia Vue plug-load meters. Last reviewed May 12, 2026.