Phantom Load Calculator
Your devices keep sipping power while they're "off". Add your always-on and standby devices below and see what phantom (vampire) load quietly costs you every year — it's usually more than people expect.
| Device | Standby W | Qty | Remove |
|---|
Standby cost per year
$0
0 W running 24/7
Estimates only — standby draw varies by model and settings. A metering smart plug gives exact figures per device.
How this phantom load calculator works
Standby devices run around the clock, so the math is: yearly kWh = total standby watts × 8,760 hours ÷ 1,000, multiplied by your rate for the yearly cost. Even small numbers add up at 24/7 — a single 15 W set-top box burns 131 kWh a year, about $20 at $0.15/kWh, for doing nothing.
The presets are typical measured values; the fix is usually a switched power strip or a smart plug for each cluster of devices (TV corner, desk, kitchen counter).
Phantom load FAQ
What is a phantom load?
Phantom load (standby or vampire power) is electricity devices draw while "off" or idle — TVs waiting for a remote, consoles in rest mode, chargers left plugged in, microwave clocks. Each draws 1–15 watts, 24 hours a day.
How much does standby power cost per year?
A typical home carries 20–40 W of continuous standby. At 30 W and $0.15/kWh that's about $39 a year — and homes with several consoles, set-top boxes, and sleeping PCs can easily triple it.
Which devices have the worst phantom loads?
Set-top boxes and DVRs (10–25 W), consoles in instant-on mode (10–15 W), PCs in sleep (3–10 W), and warm power bricks. Modern phone chargers with nothing attached draw almost nothing.
How do I reduce phantom load?
Group devices on a switched strip or smart plug and kill them together, disable instant-on modes, and unplug rarely-used gear. Energy-monitoring smart plugs also reveal each device's true standby draw.