The scorching heat not only causes fatigue but also leads to soaring electricity bills due to increased use of cooling appliances. However, according to experienced electricians, the reason for the spike in monthly electricity costs is not just excessive appliance usage but also the habit of leaving appliances plugged into outlets when not in use.
It may seem insignificant, but these seemingly harmless appliances are secretly consuming electricity daily. Here is a list of five common electrical appliances that you must unplug when not in use if you want to save a few hundred thousand dollars each month during peak season:
1. Electric Kettle – The Hidden Energy Guzzler
Many people leave their electric kettles plugged into power outlets for convenience. However, even when the kettle is not switched on, it still consumes a small amount of electricity to power the LED light or electronic circuit. In hot weather, if you don’t really need to use it frequently, it’s best to unplug the kettle completely after use to prevent silent electrical leakage.
2. Air Purifier – Constant Operation, Constant Consumption
While air purifiers are extremely useful for cleaning the air during the summer, they can significantly increase electricity consumption if left operating continuously without control. Especially, many households forget to turn off the device when leaving the house or going to sleep. If you don’t need to use it for several hours, unplug it instead of just turning it off with the power button, as the standby mode still consumes a significant amount of electricity.
3. Power Bank – Small but Steady Electricity Drain
Power banks are a familiar item but are often left plugged into outlets. Meanwhile, the charger continuously draws electricity even if the power bank is fully charged or not connected to a device. To avoid wasting electricity and reducing the lifespan of the power bank and charger, get into the habit of unplugging the charger completely from the power outlet after charging.
4. Wi-Fi Router – Turn It Off When Not in Use
Wi-Fi routers are often left on 24/7, even when the household is asleep or away for days. Meanwhile, a router can consume 4-6 kWh per month if left running continuously, which translates to a significant amount of money when combined with other appliances. If you don’t use the internet at night or are away for several days, unplugging the router is an effective way to save electricity and extend the lifespan of the device.
5. Microwave Oven – Electricity Consumption Even When Not in Use
Some modern microwave ovens have digital displays or electronic clocks that are always on. This means that the appliance consumes electricity even when not in use. If you don’t use the microwave frequently during the day, it’s best to turn it off completely to save electricity for your household.
Why Unplug Instead of Just Turning Off the Power Button?
According to electricity experts, many modern appliances are designed to operate in “standby” mode even after being turned off. In this mode, the appliance still consumes a small amount of electricity to maintain settings or stay ready for operation, resulting in hidden electricity consumption.
Each appliance may only consume 1-5W of electricity per hour in standby mode, but when combined with multiple appliances and calculated over a month, this can add up to tens of kWh, equivalent to hundreds of thousands of dollars in electricity costs that users may be unaware of.
In the summer of 2025, with rising electricity prices and harsh weather conditions, saving electricity not only reduces monthly expenses but also protects the environment. Simply unplugging these five familiar appliances can help avoid skyrocketing electricity bills and extend the lifespan of your appliances.
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