Now that you understand what plug loads and vampire loads are, the next step is understanding how they impact your electricity bill.
According to the Energy Information Administration’s 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, plug loads accounted for over about 17% of the average US home’s annual energy costs. In 2020, this amounted to about $335 per year to power plug loads. By the end of 2025, that figure was closer to $440 per year.
Experts estimate that vampire loads account for about 10% of the average US home’s energy usage. That means of the 17% of energy consumed for all plug loads, less than half of that energy is being consumed when we are actually using our devices.
The cost of plug loads and vampire loads can vary significantly from home to home. Several factors influence how much these devices end up costing you.
First, the number of devices in your home plays a major role. Homes with more televisions, computers, gaming systems, kitchen appliances, and connected devices will naturally have higher plug load costs. Over time, many households accumulate more electronics without removing older ones, which increases total energy use.
Second, how often and how long devices are used affects overall cost. Devices that run for extended periods each day (like computers or TVs) will consume more electricity than those used occasionally. Similarly, devices that are rarely turned off contribute more through continuous standby usage.
Third, the efficiency of your devices matters. Newer models are often designed to use less energy, both during operation and in standby mode, while older or less efficient devices can draw more power than expected.
Fourth, your electricity rate has a direct impact. Even if two homes use the same amount of electricity from plug loads, the one with higher electricity prices will see a higher cost on their bill.
Finally, behavior plays an important role. Leaving devices on, keeping chargers plugged in, or not using power strips to fully shut off electronics can increase both active and standby energy use. Small habits, repeated daily, can meaningfully influence total costs over time.