Standby Power Calculator

Calculate the annual cost of phantom or standby power drawn by devices when plugged in but not in active use.

watts
USD/kWh

Annual Standby Cost

98.55 USD

Monthly Cost8.21 USD
Annual Standby Energy657.0 kWh
Total Standby Load75.0 watts

Annual Standby Cost vs Electricity Rate

How to Calculate Standby Power Cost

Standby power (phantom load) is electricity consumed by devices when they are turned off but still plugged in.

Formula

Annual kWh = Devices * Avg Standby Watts * 8,760 hours / 1,000

Annual Cost = Annual kWh * Rate

Common Standby Draws

  • TV: 5-10W
  • Game console: 2-25W
  • Cable box: 15-30W
  • Phone charger: 0.5-2W
  • Microwave (with clock): 3-5W
  • Example Calculation

    15 devices averaging 5W standby power at $0.15/kWh.

    1. 01Total standby: 15 * 5 = 75 watts
    2. 02Annual kWh: 75 * 8,760 / 1,000 = 657 kWh
    3. 03Annual cost: 657 * $0.15 = $98.55
    4. 04Monthly cost: $98.55 / 12 = $8.21

    Frequently Asked Questions

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