Enter the number of always-plugged-in devices and their average standby wattage to see the hidden annual cost.
TVs, game consoles, cable boxes, chargers, and microwaves with clock displays are the most common phantom load culprits, typically 1-10W each even when 'off'.
Standby power runs 24/7/365, unlike active appliance use, so even small wattages compound into meaningful annual cost since the device is drawing power every single hour of the year. Studies commonly estimate phantom load makes up 5-10% of a typical home's electricity bill — smart power strips or unplugging rarely-used electronics are the standard fix.
Game consoles left in 'instant on' mode, cable/satellite boxes, and older TVs and desktop computers are typically the biggest offenders, sometimes drawing 10-30W even when appearing off.
Yes — they cut power to peripheral devices when a main device (like a TV) is off, effectively eliminating standby draw for the whole group without manually unplugging anything.