Protect Your Home and Wallet: 5 Appliances Worth Unplugging When You’re Done
Many modern appliances use a small amount of standby (“phantom”) electricity even when they appear to be switched off. Unplugging selected devices can reduce that waste, although the savings vary considerably by appliance. (The Department of Energy’s Energy.gov)
1. ☕ Coffee makers
If your coffee maker has a digital clock, display, or warming function, it may continue drawing power when you’re not using it. Unplugging it after use can eliminate that standby consumption.
2. 🍞 Toasters
A toaster doesn’t need to remain connected between uses. Unplugging it also means the heating appliance isn’t energized while unattended.
3. 🫖 Electric kettles
Once you’ve finished boiling water, there’s generally no reason to leave the kettle powered. Unplugging it is a simple safety habit.
4. 🍟 Air fryers
Some models use electricity for electronic controls even when they’re not actively cooking. If yours doesn’t need to remain connected, unplugging it after use can eliminate standby power.
5. 🔌 Chargers
Phone, tablet, laptop, and other chargers can consume a small amount of electricity while plugged in without a device attached. Unplugging unused chargers also avoids leaving damaged or poor-quality adapters continuously energized. (Better Homes & Gardens)
Don’t unplug everything blindly
You shouldn’t routinely unplug appliances that need continuous power, such as refrigerators, freezers, medical equipment, or security systems. Some electronics also need standby power for functions such as recording, networking, or maintaining settings. (Standby Power)
For several electronics in one area, a switchable power strip can make it easier to cut power to multiple devices at once. (Natural Resources Canada)
Bottom line: Unplugging selected appliances is a simple way to reduce standby electricity and can improve safety, but the biggest savings usually come from targeting devices that actually draw meaningful standby power—not unplugging every appliance in the house.
