Many “energy vampires” keep sipping electricity even when you’re not using them, quietly costing the average home $100–$200 a year—and adding fire risk. It’s the standby power from everyday gadgets left plugged in.

The culprits add up fast: a single phone charger wastes about $9 a year (multiple chargers can approach $50). Coffee makers left plugged in waste ~$22, gaming consoles in standby can top $100, desktops/printers another $80, and slow cookers or Instant Pots ~$25+. That’s at least $147—roughly the energy to run a fridge for months—gone to standby.

There’s a safety angle, too. Overheating chargers, dusty computers, and aging kitchen appliances left energized can spark or smolder. Cutting standby power lowers both your bill and your risk.

The fix is simple: unplug when you’re done, or use smart power strips that shut off standby automatically. Small tweaks like these can save over 1,200 kWh a year, prevent hundreds of pounds of CO₂, and give you peace of mind—more money in your pocket, a safer home, no sacrifice.