Stop Paying for Phantom Power

Devices don't need to be "on" to cost you money. Standby power quietly adds up across a household — here's where it hides and how to actually stop it.

What phantom power actually is

Phantom (or standby) power is electricity drawn by a device that's plugged in but not actively being used — powering a clock display, staying ready for a remote signal, or keeping Wi-Fi active for a quick wake-up. Individually small, but most homes have a dozen or more devices doing this simultaneously, all day, every day.

The usual suspects

• Game consoles and set-top boxes: "instant-on" modes keep them semi-active around the clock so they start up faster — often one of the biggest phantom loads in a house.
• Chargers left plugged in: phone and laptop chargers still draw a small amount even with nothing connected to them.
• Entertainment systems: TVs, soundbars, and AV receivers with standby lights and remote-wake features.
• Anything with a digital clock or display: microwaves, ovens, and coffee machines all draw power just to keep the display lit.

How to actually cut it out

A power board with an accessible physical switch lets you cut several devices at once (entertainment system, gaming setup) without unplugging anything individually. Smart plugs go a step further — schedule high-standby-draw devices to fully power down overnight or while you're at work, automatically, without changing your habits at all.