“Vampire power” is working behind the scenes to consume energy even when your appliances are turned off. So what is it? Also known as Standby power, it refers to the energy drawn down by an appliance when it’s not in use.
You might be surprised to learn that standby power consumption can cost the average household between $104.07 and $176.99 per year. By turning off appliances at the wall, you could be saving this amount.
Which appliances drain the most power?
Although our appliances and devices are getting smarter, the below table from consumer organisation Choice shows just how greatly the standby power consumption can vary.
Here are a few examples of everyday products and the impact they can have on your power bill annually:
| PRODUCT | LOWEST STANDBY COST | HIGHEST STANDBY COST |
| Multifunction printer | $0.00 | $32.06 |
| Wireless router | $7.13 | $41.58 |
| Smart speaker | $0.27 | $9.92 |
| Washing machine | $0.00 | $7.60 |
| Microwave oven | $0.67 | $6.28 |
| Clothes dryer | $0.28 | $1.72 |
| Air con – large | $0.04 | $1.08 |
| Digital video recorder | $2.80 | $31.30 |
| TVs – 100-115cm | $0.01 | $0.02 |
| Blu-Ray players | $0.00 | $0.01 |
As you can see, while the usage costs aren’t incredibly high, they do add up. It pays to shop around and check the star-rating of your appliances.
Slay vampire power by:
- Switching off appliances at the wall when they’re not in use. Think electric toothbrushes, hair stylers, TVs, PCs and game consoles.
- Invest in smart plugs, these allow you to set timers so that appliances are automatically switched off according to your schedule — and during SpikeHours.
- When investing in appliances that run all day, like fridges, ensure you base your purchase off the lowest running costs and best performance.
- Always check the energy-rating label whenever you’re in the market for new appliances. Even though an appliance looks like a bargain at first glance, it might end up costing you more in the long run. Our handy guide can help you find the most energy-efficient appliances for your home.
