Phantom power drain: This kitchen appliance increases your electricity bill unnoticed

Your electricity bill might be higher than necessary due to a common issue experts call "phantom energy consumption." This occurs when appliances continue to draw power even when they are switched off but still plugged into an electrical outlet.

One frequent offender is the microwave oven. Even when not actively heating food, it maintains internal circuits and a digital display, leading to a continuous, albeit small, drain on electricity. "Most owners have no idea that their microwave consumes energy 24 hours a day," said Corey Gilgan, owner of Oregon Generators, a company specializing in generators and electrical services.

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Most owners have no idea that their microwave consumes energy 24 hours a day.

While a microwave in standby mode might use only four watts, this constant draw adds up over a month, especially when combined with other "vampire devices." These can include televisions, coffee makers, phone chargers, printers, and gaming consoles. In an average household, it's estimated that between 20 and 40 devices are in standby mode, collectively consuming between 50 and 200 watts throughout the day. This can translate to tens of dollars in unnecessary costs annually.

Gilgan suggests simple solutions to combat this hidden energy drain. Utilizing a power strip with a switch allows users to easily cut power to multiple devices simultaneously by flipping a single switch before bed. For those who prefer automation or tend to forget, smart power strips and outlets can be programmed to turn off devices according to a schedule. While the individual energy consumption of each standby device may seem negligible, collectively switching them off can lead to noticeable savings on electricity bills over time.

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During the year, you can thus spend about 50 to 60 dollars.