Here’s the thing that surprised me the most. It’s not just a few cents. Vampire power can add up to a significant portion of your electricity bill.

The average home: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, standby power accounts for about 5-10% of a household’s electricity use. That’s an extra $100 to $200 a year for the average household.

Individual devices: While individual devices use very little power (usually 1-5 watts), the cumulative effect is significant. If you have 20 devices drawing 5 watts each, that’s 100 watts of continuous draw.

Long-term costs: Over a year, that 100 watts adds up to 876 kilowatt-hours. At an average electricity rate of $0.16 per kWh, that’s about $140 per year.

The worst offenders: The biggest energy hogs in standby mode are typically:

• Game consoles (especially those that stay in “instant-on” mode)

• Computers and monitors

• Set-top boxes and cable boxes

• Smart TVs

• Speakers and sound systems

• Phone and laptop chargers

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