How to Stop Hidden Home Energy Drainers While You’re Away

We all love the feeling of locking up the house, heading out for a long weekend or a full week away, and knowing everything back home is taken care of. But even when you’re not at home using energy, many appliances and devices continue drawing power in the background.

With a few quick changes before you leave, you can reduce hidden energy use and keep your home running efficiently while you’re away. Let’s walk through some of the most common energy drainers and easy ways you can keep them in check.

Entertainment Centers That Stay “On” Even When They’re Off

TVs, gaming consoles, soundbars, speakers, and streaming boxes often go into standby mode instead of fully shutting down, pulling small amounts of energy around the clock.

Try this:

• Use an advanced power strip to turn everything off at once.
• Unplug gaming consoles, soundbars, and streaming devices when not in use.
• Disable “quick start” or “instant on” in device settings to reduce standby draw.
• If you record live TV, leave only the DVR on and power down the rest.

Office Electronics That Keep Working After You Clock Out

Your home office can quietly consume energy long after your workday ends. Computers, monitors, printers, chargers, and docking stations can continue drawing power even when they appear “off”.

Try this:

• Fully power down and unplug devices at the end of the day.
• Group your office setup on a single power strip for quick shutoff.
• Turn off printers and external drives unless you truly need them running.

Kitchen Countertop Gadgets

Appliances with clocks or lights like, coffee makers, air fryers, multicookers, toasters, and microwaves, use small amounts of standby power that add up over time.

Try this:

• Unplug countertop appliances when you’re done using them.
• If your microwave clock isn’t essential, switch it off at the outlet when you travel.
• Group counter appliances on a switchable strip for a quick, one-tap power down.

Smart Devices That Stay Connected

Routers and security devices need to stay plugged in, especially if you rely on cameras or monitoring systems. However, many smart speakers, hubs, or accessories don’t need to run 24/7.

Try this:

• Keep Wi-Fi, modem, and security devices on for home monitoring.
• Unplug extra speakers or hubs while you’re away.
• Use smart plugs to disable optional devices with one tap.
• Review apps and pause automations that don’t need to run while you’re gone.

Comfort Items

Ceiling fans, space heaters, portable fans, heated blankets, candle warmers, and diffusers use energy only when someone is around to enjoy them.

Try this:

• Turn off ceiling fans when you leave a room.
• Unplug space heaters and heated throws when not in use.
• Switch off candle warmers, heated throws, and diffusers before leaving.
• Set timers to prevent accidental all‑day use.

Extra Refrigerators and Freezers That Work Overtime

Older secondary fridges or freezers, especially in garages or basements, can use a lot of energy, sometimes more than your main refrigerator.

Try this:

• Consolidate food into your main fridge and unplug the extra unit if possible.
• Check seals and temperature settings if you decide to keep it running (37–40°F for fridges; 0°F for freezers).
• Prop the door open after unplugging it to prevent odors.

Outdoor Lights That Stay “On” For Too Long

Porch and yard lights help keep your home visible, but they can unintentionally run for hours if they’re not on sensors or timers.

Try this:

• Install dusk‑to‑dawn bulbs so lights only run when it’s dark.
• Add motion sensors for security lighting that activates when needed.
• Use smart lighting schedules to mimic occupancy without wasting energy.
• Replace any remaining incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs to cut usage right away.

Come Back Home to Comfort and Savings

The best part about tackling hidden energy drainers is that once you know what to look for, you’ll save energy whether you’re traveling or not. Phantom loads add up year-round and minimizing them is one of the easiest ways to keep your monthly usage in check.

While you’re taking steps to make your home more efficient, there’s another way to give yourself peace of mind, not just while you’re away, but every day. Enrolling in a fixed‑rate energy plan with a retail energy supply provider like AEP Energy can help protect your household from market changes, making your energy costs more predictable. It’s one more way to keep your home running smoothly, no matter where your travel plans take you.

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