How Much It Actually Costs to Leave Your Appliances Plugged In

You’ve packed your bags, set your out-of-office reply, and double-checked that the alarm is set. But if you’ve haven't unplugged appliances, your pre-trip checklist isn’t complete. It’s one of the simplest ways to make your home more efficient and avoid unnecessary costs while you’re away.

Here’s what to know about these hidden power drains, how much they can cost you, and the simple steps that can help save money on energy bills while you're traveling.  

The Problem With Not Unplugging

Not all appliances power down completely when you turn them off. “Vampire devices are designed to be ready to use at all times and drain power even when they are turned off and not actively running,” explains Brooke Stafford, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General. 

Unlike appliances you use intermittently, vampire devices draw power continuously, 24 hours a day, whether you’re home or not. That means things like a coffee maker’s digital clock and your TV’s standby mode are all consuming energy around the clock. 

“Some of the appliances that cause the most significant vampire drain are dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, TVs, and coffee machines,” Stafford says. If you’re unsure which items in your home fall into this category, Stafford says to look for glowing indicators. “Vampire devices can be identified by looking for lights, digital clocks, LED displays, or warmth at the plug while the item is switched off.”

Individually, the cost is minimal. But together? It’s a different story.

How Much It Actually Costs

It’s easy to assume that a little standby power here and there isn’t a big deal, but energy usage and costs can quickly accumulate. Recent data from Domestic & General suggests that leaving appliances plugged in during a weeklong vacation can cost the average household over $100, with the exact amount varying due to factors like your specific appliances and local electricity rates.

“Using the Energy Information Administration’s average residential electricity price, we calculated the cost of leaving essential appliances—including a washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, HVAC unit, water heater, and two TVs—plugged in for a week,” dictates the study. “On average, it costs $121.16 to keep essential household appliances plugged in during a one-week vacation, but some states are more expensive than others.”

To calculate your own home’s potential cost, Stafford offers a straightforward formula. “Homeowners can estimate the cost of leaving devices plugged in during a vacation by first checking the standby wattage of each appliance and converting it to kilowatts,” says Stafford. “Next, multiply the kilowatts by the total hours they are away. Finally, multiply the total kilowatt-hour usage by the electricity rate.”

Turns out, even low-wattage devices, when left plugged in for days on end, can contribute to a noticeable increase in your bill.

Related Stories

How to Set Your Thermostat for Spring's Wild Temperature Swings

8 Mistakes That Are Quietly Increasing Your Heating Bill During Winter

The Easiest Way to Save On Energy Use Before a Trip

“Before leaving for vacation, homeowners can reduce idle energy use by unplugging any unused items while they are gone,” Stafford says. Think: small appliances, entertainment systems, and anything with a digital display. These are often the biggest contributors to unnecessary energy use.

“While it can be tedious to search the home for these devices and unplug them," says Stafford, "this pre-vacation task can help homeowners save money while also reducing unnecessary wear and tear on their appliances.” Beyond lowering your bill, unplugging devices can extend the life of your belongings—an added bonus for appliances you rely on daily.

What Not to Unplug

But before you start pulling every plug in sight, it’s important to know that not all appliances should be turned off completely. “Appliances such as refrigerators and freezers should never be unplugged to maintain the correct temperatures to keep food safe to eat,” Stafford says.

Instead, you can make small adjustments to reduce their workload while you’re away—for example, setting your refrigerator to a slightly higher (but still safe) temperature. “The ideal refrigerator temperature is between 37 and 40 degrees, so I often advise homeowners to set it to 40 degrees precisely to prevent it from overworking,” says Stafford.

There are also certain systems best left untouched: “I also recommend avoiding unplugging anything involving gas or complex electrical systems such as gas ovens, ranges, dryers, water heaters, HVAC systems, and built-in or hardwired appliances,” she notes. “It may seem like a money-saving move to turn your HVAC system off completely when you leave for vacation, but this can lead to higher energy bills, create unnecessary wear and tear, and even damage the system.” 

Choosing Smarter Settings

Stafford suggests setting home temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees in winter and 80 and 85 degrees in summer. “In the colder months, this range keeps your home warm enough to prevent pipes from freezing, while giving your furnace a break from fully heating an entire house,” she explains. “When it’s hotter outside, this adjustment helps control humidity, which is important for protecting items such as furniture and flooring from warping caused by excess moisture.”

Also consider upgrading your home to smart plugs, which will allow you to control devices remotely from your phone and even automate schedules to prevent energy loss. “Smart plugs are also a great option, although they still require a small amount of power to receive commands over their Wi-Fi connection,” notes Stafford. “Ultimately, the savings smart plugs provide by preventing electricity transfer outweigh the minimal amount of energy used to run the device.”

With a few mindful adjustments, you can return home to everything being exactly as you left it (and not a higher-than-expected energy bill).