Could unplugging your appliances when they’re not in use help lower your energy use? With rising utility bills and inflation, it’s natural to wonder if this simple habit actually pays off. Let’s find out!

If you need any replacement parts for your appliances, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

What is standby power & why is it good to know about?

Standby power, also known as phantom load, refers to the electricity that appliances continue to draw even when they’re turned off but remain plugged into an outlet. Many modern devices, especially those with electronic displays, clocks, or remote control features, consume a small amount of power in this idle state. 

For many homes, phantom power can account for 5-10% of total electricity use. In spaces like the kitchen and laundry room, which are filled with more and larger appliances, this phantom load can be more significant if appliances are left plugged in but not actively used. 

Which appliances use the most power even when turned off?

Some large household appliances consume power even when they’re turned off due to their need to maintain settings, stay connected to a network, or keep certain features ready. 

Reducing the standby power usage of these appliances can be challenging because unplugging isn’t usually practical for many people. However, owners can opt for energy-efficient models with low standby power consumption or turn off Wi-Fi features when they’re not needed to help manage their electricity usage.

Here are the appliances that use the most power when turned off but still plugged in:

1. Refrigerators and freezers: Although they’re always technically “on,” refrigerators cycle their compressors on and off, which can lead to phantom energy use. Smart fridges that are Wi-Fi-enabled for monitoring and diagnostics can consume even more power while idle.
2. HVAC systems (particularly those with smart thermostats): Many modern HVAC systems are paired with smart thermostats that stay in standby mode to maintain connection, monitor temperatures, and be ready for remote control. This setup uses a small but constant amount of electricity.
3. Electric water heaters: Electric water heaters can have a “standby loss” as they work to keep water hot even when not in use. Older water heaters are more likely to lose heat this way, which requires constant reheating.
4. Washing machines and dryers (especially Wi-Fi-enabled models): Some newer models, particularly smart ones, stay on standby to maintain a connection, send alerts, or be ready for remote operation, which can draw power even when not in active use.

Read more: 5 Common Mistakes That Shorten The Lifespan Of Appliances

How much electricity can you save by unplugging?

For most appliances, standby power consumption ranges from 1 to 10 watts, which initially doesn’t sound like a lot — if you don’t have many appliances. Here’s a breakdown of how much standby power common appliances use and how much that translates to in terms of cost:

• Microwaves: 2-5 watts used on standby. If left plugged in 24/7, this could add up to around 10-20 kWh per year, which would cost you roughly $1.50 to $3.00 annually, depending on local electricity rates.
• Coffee makers: 1-4 watts used when idle. If kept plugged in, this could result in 5-10 kWh per year, which could cost around $0.75 to $1.50 annually.
• Washing machines: 2-10 watts used in standby mode. Over a year, this could add up to 15-30 kWh, which may cost between $2.25 and $5.00 annually.
• Dryers: 3-5 watts used when in standby mode. Annually, this could amount to around 10-20 kWh, or $1.50 to $3.00 per year.

In case you were wondering, dishwashers and ranges tend to use very little power on standby mode since they only use it to keep up their digital displays.

The total savings from unplugging appliances depend on the number of devices in the space and the amount of time they remain plugged in while idle. For the average household, unplugging small devices that are rarely used or leaving them connected to power strips with on/off switches can provide small, consistent savings over time. 

Safety tip: Large appliances should always be plugged directly into a properly grounded wall outlet. Most power strips are not designed to handle the continuous high electrical demand of large appliances, and overheating or melting insulation could ignite a fire.

Read more: How to prevent appliance fire hazards

What appliances should I unplug?

Not all appliances in the kitchen and laundry room need to be unplugged to see meaningful energy savings. The key is identifying which appliances are drawing significant phantom power and which ones are worth the effort to unplug. 

What to unplug:

• Microwaves: May draw a considerable amount of phantom power due to digital clocks and displays.
• Coffee makers: If your coffee maker has programmable features or a digital display, unplugging it when not in use can cut down on standby energy consumption. Daily coffee drinkers may consider plugging it into a power strip with an on/off switch to make unplugging easier.
• Toasters, blenders, and electric kettles: These appliances are often only used for a few minutes at a time but may still draw power in standby mode. 
• Washing machines: Washing machines can draw a noticeable amount of standby power, especially modern models with electronic controls.
• Dryers: Like washing machines, dryers with electronic controls should be unplugged or the breaker turned off between uses if you’re trying to cut down on power.
• Irons and steamers: These small appliances can be easily unplugged after use, especially if they have digital controls or indicator lights.

Which appliances to leave plugged in:

• Refrigerators and freezers: These are essential appliances that should remain plugged in at all times to preserve food. Modern refrigerators are designed to be energy efficient and won’t consume excessive standby power.
• Stoves and ovens: Often hardwired into your home’s electrical system, these units aren’t practical to unplug between uses since they tend to be up against a wall. Additionally, they typically don’t draw significant standby power.
• Dishwashers: Dishwashers tend to use very little standby power (usually just for digital displays), and pulling them out from cabinetry would most likely be more difficult than it’s worth. 

How can you tell which appliances are using the most electricity?

Here are some ways you can figure out which appliances are using the most electricity.

Check the energy label

Most appliances come with a label that provides an estimate of annual energy consumption. Check for this label or any other information about the energy rating the appliance has.

Use a plug-in power meter

For appliances that plug into the wall, a plug-in power meter (like a Kill-A-Watt meter) can measure the actual electricity used over time. You can plug the meter into the outlet, then plug your appliance into the meter to see real-time energy use and how much it uses over a few hours or days.

Review your energy bill

Many energy bills offer a breakdown of typical household energy usage. While this won’t pinpoint specific appliances, it can help you identify months with higher usage, often due to HVAC, water heating, or increased appliance usage.

Use smart home energy monitors

Smart home energy monitors connect to your home’s electrical panel and track energy usage across your entire home. These systems can identify which appliances are running and how much energy they’re using.

Calculate wattage

If you can’t measure usage directly, you can estimate it. Check the wattage of the appliance (found on the label or in the user manual), then multiply by the number of hours it’s used to estimate its electricity consumption (Watts x Hours = Watt-hours).

Read more: Reduce Your Energy Bill with These 6 Easy Home Tasks

What are other ways to reduce the electricity your appliances use?

Set appliances to energy-saving mode

Many devices, like TVs, computers, and even washing machines have energy-saving settings that reduce power consumption by adjusting brightness, screen savers, or drying intensity.

Tweak refrigerator and freezer temperatures

Set your fridge to 37-40°F (3-4°C) and the freezer to 0°F (-18°C) to save the most power. Overcooling wastes energy, while warmer settings can spoil food faster.

Run appliances with full loads

Running full loads in washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers can reduce the number of cycles needed and minimize energy use.

Use cold water for washing clothes

Washing clothes in cold water can save a huge amount of energy since about 90% of a washer’s energy goes into heating water.

Air-dry when possible

You can skip the dryer for items that can be air-dried and use your dishwasher’s air-dry function to save energy.

Clean and maintain your appliances

Regularly clean your refrigerator coils, replace or clean AC filters, and check the dryer’s venting system. Dust and debris buildup force appliances to work harder and consume more power.

Keep freezers and fridges full

Full refrigerators and freezers maintain their temperature better and reduce how much the compressor has to work. For half-empty freezers, you can add jugs of water to improve efficiency.

Adjust thermostat settings

In the winter, lower your thermostat a few degrees, and in the summer, raise it a bit to reduce your HVAC system’s workload over time.

Replace old appliances

If an appliance is more than 10-15 years old, upgrading to a newer, Energy Star-rated model may significantly reduce energy use.

FAQs about unplugging appliances

Check out these answers to questions about saving energy by unplugging home appliances.

How much electricity do appliances use when plugged in but turned off?

Standby power usage varies, but some appliances like TVs, computers, and gaming consoles can use 1 to 10 watts per hour when idle. This adds up over time and can increase your electricity bill.

Is it safe to unplug appliances frequently?

Yes. However, some, like fridges and freezers, should remain plugged in.

Does unplugging appliances prevent electrical fires?

Unplugging appliances can slash the risk of electrical fires by eliminating power flow, which may help prevent overheating or electrical issues.

Can power strips help with saving energy?

Yes! Power strips make it easy to turn off multiple devices at once, which can help reduce standby power. You can also look for “smart” power strips, which automatically cut power to idle devices.

Should I unplug my charger when it’s not in use?

Yes, since even chargers draw a small amount of electricity when plugged in but not connected to a device. 

Do newer appliances use less standby power?

Yes, many newer appliances are designed to be more energy-efficient and use less standby power than older models. 

Is turning off a socket the same as unplugging?

In most cases, turning off the socket prevents appliances from drawing standby power, just like unplugging them. But some older sockets may not stop energy flow, especially if they aren’t well-maintained or wired correctly.

Unplugging appliances when not in use offers better protection from power surges, since the appliance is fully disconnected from the circuit. Turning off the socket won’t offer the same protection if the outlet experiences a surge.

More for you

Thanks for reading! If you need replacement parts for any of your appliances, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We have over two million parts in stock and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see our latest repair guides!