It’s easy to assume an appliance stops using electricity the moment you switch it off. That isn’t always the case.

Many household devices continue drawing a small amount of electricity while they’re plugged in, even when they appear to be off. This is often called standby power or phantom energy. One device probably won’t make much of a difference on its own, but several plugged-in appliances running day and night can add to your overall energy use.

The easiest fix is also one of the simplest: unplug devices you don’t need running all the time. Here are some common appliances and electronics worth checking around your home.

Small Kitchen Appliances

Coffee makers, air fryers, microwaves, toasters, and electric kettles are some of the most common kitchen appliances left plugged in all day.

Some have digital clocks, touch panels, timers, or other features that continue using a small amount of electricity after the appliance has been switched off. A microwave is a good example. The machine may be sitting unused for hours, yet that little clock on the front remains lit.

If you only use an appliance once or twice a day, unplugging it after use is an easy habit that can cut down on unnecessary standby power.

Phone and Laptop Chargers

Chargers are another easy one to overlook. A charger can still draw a small amount of electricity while it remains plugged into the wall, even when your phone or laptop isn’t connected.

One charger probably won’t have much effect on your bill. The problem comes from having several plugged in throughout the house, day after day.

A USB charging station with automatic shutoff can keep charging cables in one place and make it easier to switch them off when they’re no longer needed.

TVs and Streaming Devices

Your television may look completely off, but many newer models remain in standby mode so they can respond quickly to the remote, receive updates, or work with connected devices.

Streaming boxes, soundbars, game systems, and other equipment connected to your TV can also use electricity while sitting idle.

If you don’t use your entertainment setup every day, plugging everything into an energy-saving surge protector can make shutting down several devices much easier. Flip one switch and you’re done.

Gaming Consoles

Gaming consoles can stay connected to the internet while you’re away, downloading updates or remaining in a sleep or standby setting.

If you play every day, leaving the console connected may be convenient. If it sits untouched for days or weeks, there’s little reason to keep it powered up the entire time.

Check the console’s settings first. Some systems have low-power options that reduce electricity use without requiring you to unplug them after every gaming session.

Space Heaters

Space heaters deserve a little more attention than most items on this list. They can consume a lot of electricity while running, and leaving a portable heater plugged in when it isn’t needed is also a safety concern.

Unplug a space heater after use, particularly before going to bed or leaving the house. Don’t rely only on the power switch.

If you’re shopping for a replacement, an energy-efficient ceramic space heater with an automatic shutoff can add another layer of protection.

Coffee Makers

Your coffee maker may spend far more time sitting unused than actually brewing coffee.

Many models keep a clock or timer running throughout the day, while others keep a warming plate hot after brewing. If you make your morning coffee and then don’t touch the machine again until the next day, leaving it powered for hours may be unnecessary.

Unplugging it after your morning routine is one of the easiest ways to reduce phantom energy use in the kitchen.

If your coffee maker has a scheduled brewing feature you rely on, keep it plugged in. There’s no need to sacrifice a feature you actually use just to save a tiny amount of electricity.

Computers and Office Equipment

Your home office can contain several devices that use standby power: desktop computers, monitors, printers, speakers, scanners, and other accessories.

A computer in sleep mode isn’t using as much electricity as one that’s fully running, but it still isn’t completely off. Printers and monitors can also remain on standby for long periods.

Shutting down your computer at the end of the day and switching off connected accessories can cut down on wasted electricity. A desktop power management strip can make this easier if several devices are connected to the same workspace.

Just be careful with equipment that needs to stay on, such as certain networking equipment, security devices, or computers handling scheduled tasks.

Hot Water Recirculation Pumps

Hot water recirculation systems are a little different from the other appliances on this list because their energy use isn’t just about standby power.

These systems keep hot water moving through your plumbing so you don’t have to wait as long for warm water at the faucet. That convenience can come with extra energy use, especially if the pump runs continuously when nobody needs hot water.

If your system doesn’t need to operate around the clock, a smart recirculation pump timer can limit operation to the hours you actually use it.

A timer won’t make sense for every household, so check how your hot water system works before changing its settings.

A Few Minutes of Unplugging Can Add Up

You don’t need to walk around the house unplugging every appliance after every use. Some devices need to remain connected, and the electricity used by many individual standby devices is quite small.

Instead, start with appliances that sit unused for long stretches. Look around your kitchen, entertainment center, home office, and guest rooms for devices that stay plugged in around the clock despite being used only occasionally.

A few small changes can reduce unnecessary electricity use without changing much about your daily routine. And once you get into the habit of switching off a power strip or unplugging a rarely used appliance, it takes almost no extra effort.