Standby Power and Phantom Loads: Finding the Hidden Drain on Your Hydro Bill
Phantom loads typically make up 5–10% of household electricity. Learn how to measure them, which devices are worst, and practical ways to cut them in Ontario.
Key takeaways
- Standby or phantom loads typically account for roughly 5–10% of household electricity use.
- Because they run 24 hours a day, most standby use is billed at off-peak or overnight rates on Time-of-Use or ULO.
- Older set-top boxes, game consoles, desktop computers and secondary fridges are common culprits.
- Measure first with a plug-in meter or your smart meter data, then target the biggest loads.
Walk through a typical Ontario home at night and count the glowing lights: televisions, cable boxes, chargers, microwaves, speakers, routers, printers. Each draws a little power even when you are not using it. Together, these standby or "phantom" loads typically account for roughly 5–10% of household electricity use.
That is not enough to transform your bill, but it is one of the few savings that costs almost nothing to capture. This guide explains how to find and reduce phantom loads, and which ones are not worth chasing.
What counts as a phantom load?
A phantom load is electricity used by a device that is switched off or not performing its main function. Common examples include:
- Devices in standby waiting for a remote control signal (TVs, sound bars, set-top boxes).
- Devices with clocks or displays (microwaves, ovens, coffee makers).
- Power adapters and chargers left plugged in.
- Equipment in "network standby" or "instant on" modes (game consoles, smart TVs, streaming devices).
- Computers and monitors in sleep mode.
Some devices legitimately need to stay on: your internet modem and router, a fridge, security systems, a furnace or heat pump control board, medical equipment, and smart thermostats.
How much does it cost?
A continuous load runs 8,760 hours a year. A useful rule of thumb: every 1 watt of continuous load uses about 8.8 kWh per year.
| Continuous standby load | Annual use | Estimated annual cost at 13¢/kWh all-in (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 W | ~88 kWh | ~$11 |
| 30 W | ~263 kWh | ~$34 |
| 50 W | ~438 kWh | ~$57 |
| 100 W | ~876 kWh | ~$114 |
We used an illustrative blended rate of about 13¢/kWh, including delivery, regulatory charges, HST and the Ontario Electricity Rebate, because standby loads run mostly during off-peak hours (evenings, overnight and weekends) on Time-of-Use, where the commodity price is 9.1¢. On Ultra-Low Overnight, eight hours a day are at 3.7¢ commodity, but weekday afternoons and evenings carry higher rates, including 37.7¢ from 4 to 9 p.m. Delivery charges vary by local distribution company, so your number may be higher or lower. See our hydro bill guide for how the pieces fit together.
Many homes have a baseline continuous load of 50–150 W once you include the fridge cycling, router and all standby devices. Not all of that is avoidable.
Typical standby draw by device
These are rough ranges; older equipment is usually worse.
| Device | Typical standby or idle draw |
|---|---|
| Modern TV (standby) | 0.5–3 W |
| Cable or satellite set-top box (especially PVR/DVR) | 10–30 W |
| Game console in "instant on" or rest mode | 2–15 W |
| Sound bar or AV receiver | 1–10 W |
| Desktop computer (sleep vs fully on idle) | 2–5 W sleep; 40–100 W idle |
| Printer | 2–6 W |
| Microwave or oven clock | 2–5 W |
| Phone charger with nothing attached | Under 0.5 W (modern) |
| Older wall-wart adapters | 1–5 W |
| Smart speakers and displays | 2–5 W |
| Modem and Wi-Fi router | 6–20 W combined (needed) |
The biggest wins are usually older set-top boxes, consoles left in instant-on mode, desktop computers that never sleep, and old electronics in basements and spare rooms.
How to find your phantom loads
1. Check your smart meter data. Ontario homes have smart meters, and most local distribution companies (Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, Alectra, Hydro Ottawa, Elexicon and others) offer hourly usage data through an online account or Green Button download. Look at your use between about 2 and 4 a.m. when nothing much is running. That overnight floor is roughly your base load.
2. Use a plug-in power meter. Inexpensive plug-in meters (roughly $20–$40) show watts and accumulate kWh. Plug a device into the meter, switch it off, and read the standby draw.
3. Do a breaker-off test (with care). With most things running normally, note your base load, then switch off one circuit at a time and watch the change on a whole-home monitor or smart meter app. Do not switch off circuits for the fridge, freezer, sump pump or medical equipment for long.
Ways to cut phantom loads
| Action | Effort | Typical result |
|---|---|---|
| Turn off "instant on" or "quick start" on TVs and consoles | 5 minutes | Can cut a console's standby from ~10 W to under 1 W |
| Use an advanced (smart) power bar on the entertainment centre | Low | Cuts peripherals when the TV is off |
| Set computers to sleep after 15–30 minutes | 5 minutes | Large savings on desktops left running |
| Unplug or remove old electronics you rarely use | Low | Removes their standby entirely |
| Return extra set-top boxes you no longer need | Low | Each PVR box can draw 10–30 W around the clock |
| Unplug a rarely used second fridge or freezer | Low | Often the largest single saving (see below) |
| Use timers for devices like coffee makers or block heaters | Low | Avoids hours of idle draw |
Tip: An old basement beer fridge is not technically a phantom load, but it is the most common hidden energy drain we see. A pre-2000 fridge can use 1,000 kWh a year or more. See our ENERGY STAR appliances guide.
What is not worth worrying about
- Modern phone chargers with nothing attached use a fraction of a watt.
- Unplugging your modem nightly saves very little and can cause connection problems.
- Constantly unplugging small appliances you use daily offers minimal savings for real inconvenience.
Focus effort on devices that draw more than about 5 W in standby.
A 30-minute phantom load audit
- Note your overnight base load from your utility's online portal.
- Walk room by room listing everything plugged in.
- Measure the five or six largest devices with a plug-in meter.
- Change settings on TVs, consoles and computers.
- Install a smart power bar at the TV and at the home office desk.
- Unplug or recycle unused electronics through an Ontario electronics recycling drop-off.
- Recheck your base load after a week.
You can estimate the cost of any appliance with our appliance energy cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Do smart home devices use a lot of standby power?
Individually, smart plugs, bulbs and speakers usually draw 0.5–5 W each. A home with dozens of them can add up to a noticeable continuous load, so it is worth measuring.
Does switching price plans change the cost of phantom loads?
Slightly. Because standby loads run around the clock, their cost reflects your average price across all hours. Our price plan calculator can help you compare plans for your whole usage pattern.
Are power bars with switches enough?
A basic switched power bar works if you remember to use it. Advanced power bars automate the process by cutting power to peripherals when a master device turns off.
Is it safe to unplug my TV or set-top box?
Generally yes, though some set-top boxes need time to reboot and download guide data. Check that recordings are not scheduled before cutting power.
About this page. Written and reviewed by the Energy Efficiency Ontario editorial team using official sources including the Ontario Energy Board, Save on Energy (IESO), Enbridge Gas and Natural Resources Canada. Figures are estimates unless attributed. Program terms change — confirm with the administrator before you buy. Our editorial standards · Report an error
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