Standby (Vampire) Power Cost Calculator
Add up what your always-on gadgets cost while idle — the vampire power drawn by TVs, chargers and set-top boxes waiting on standby.
How it works
Daily kWh = watts × devices × hours ÷ 1000 · Cost = kWh × price · Yearly = daily cost × 365
Vampire or standby power is the electricity gadgets sip while switched off or idle — clocks, remote sensors, indicator LEDs and instant-on circuits never truly stop. Individually a few watts seem trivial, but a typical home runs a dozen such loads around the clock, and 24-hour operation multiplies small numbers fast. Studies estimate standby accounts for 5–10% of residential electricity, which a switchable power strip on the worst offenders can largely reclaim.
Worked example
Ten devices at 5 W each, always on, draw 5 × 10 × 24 ÷ 1000 = 1.2 kWh a day. Over a year that is 438 kWh, and at $0.17/kWh about $74 — money spent on devices doing nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Which devices are the worst vampires?
Set-top and cable boxes, game consoles in instant-on mode, older plasma-era TVs, desktop PCs asleep, and multi-device chargers tend to top the list. Simple wall chargers and modern LED-clock appliances draw far less.
How do I cut standby power?
Group non-essential electronics on a switchable or smart power strip and cut them fully when unused, enable true power-off or eco modes, and unplug seasonal or rarely used gear. Keep clocks, DVRs recording, and networking gear you actually need powered.
Is standby power a fire or safety issue?
For modern, undamaged equipment it is mainly a cost and efficiency matter, not a hazard. The reason to reduce it is wasted money and energy, and slightly lower heat, rather than safety.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.