Does Unplugging Appliances Save Electricity? The Truth About “Vampire Power” (And What to Do About It)

 

Cable Box/Satellite Receiver

$40–$80

Coffee Maker (with clock)

$10–$15

Laptop Charger (always plugged)

$5–$10

TV + Soundbar

$25–$50

Multiply that across multiple devices? That’s real money—slowly bleeding out of your wallet.

But Wait—Don’t Unplug Everything!

Before you go yanking every cord in sight, here’s what not to unplug:

  • Refrigerator/Freezer – Unless you want a smelly kitchen and destr0yed groceries
  • Medical devices – Oxygen machines, CPAPs—maintain them safe and powered
  • Wi-Fi Router (if needed overnight) – Though you could schedule it to turn off
  • Security systems or baby monitors – Safety first
  • Modem/Router (if you use smart home devices)

Some devices also take forever to reboot (looking at you, cable box), so weigh convenience vs. savings.