Most kitchens have a growing collection of small appliances, such as microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, electric kettles, and air fryers. Each one uses a relatively small amount of electricity, but together they can add up. Many small appliances also stay plugged in all the time, using electricity even when they aren’t being used. The types of small appliances in the kitchen, and how they’re used, affect electricity bills through electricity consumption referred to as “plug loads” and “vampire loads.”
Plug loads refer to the electricity used by all the devices in the home that plug into a standard wall outlet. Vampire loads are a type of plug load. They refer to the electricity used by devices while they are switched off, in standby mode, or plugged in but not actively in use. In the kitchen, a common example is a microwave or coffee maker that uses electricity around the clock to display the time. The amount of power each device draws in standby is small, but because it never stops, it adds up over time.
Choosing the right small appliances, and limiting how many stay plugged in, can help reduce plug loads in the kitchen.
For households that often cook small meals, a microwave, air fryer, or countertop convection oven can handle many everyday tasks with less energy than a full-size oven. When shopping for a new appliance, it’s important to choose a model that has earned Energy Star certification in the US, or the highest energy efficiency rating in your country, where available. Features like an automatic shut-off, an insulated carafe instead of a warming plate, and the option to turn off clocks and displays can also help reduce energy use.
Over time, many kitchens accumulate appliances that are rarely used but remain plugged in. Unplugging or removing devices that aren’t part of daily cooking reduces vampire loads and frees up counter space. Multi-purpose appliances, such as a multi-cooker that works as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and rice cooker, can also replace several single-purpose devices.
For small appliances that are clustered together, a power strip makes it easy to turn several devices off at once with a single switch. Smart power strips can turn devices off automatically based on a timer, a remote control, or a phone app. A smart plug can do the same for a single appliance, such as a coffee maker.
Small daily habits can help small appliances save energy.
Using a microwave to reheat leftovers, an electric kettle to boil water, or an air fryer to cook a small meal can use less energy than heating a full-size oven or a large burner.
Unplugging small appliances that aren’t used every day, like toasters, blenders, and stand mixers, eliminates their vampire loads.
Boiling only the amount of water needed in a kettle, and keeping coffee hot in an insulated carafe instead of on a warming plate, reduces wasted energy.
Regular maintenance can help small appliances work efficiently: