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Smart Plug Savings Calculator — Per-Device ROI

Calculate standby power waste and smart plug savings for each device in your home

Annual Savings

$37

Devices

5

Payback

22 mo

Total Impact

Standby Load
37W
kWh Wasted/yr
264
Annual Savings
$37
Plug Investment
$65

Per-Device Savings

TV + Soundbar$11/yr (17mo)
Game Console$10/yr (18mo)
Coffee Maker$5/yr (27mo)
Computer Monitor$4/yr (45mo)
Printer$7/yr (18mo)

Long-Term ROI

Overall Payback22 months
5-Year Net$120
10-Year Net$304

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Example Calculations

15-Device Home (typical entertainment + office)

Inputs

DevicesTV+soundbar, console, coffee maker, monitor, printer
Total Standby37W across devices
Electricity Rate$0.14/kWh

Result

Annual Savings$53
Smart Plug Cost$65 (5 plugs)
Payback15 months

Per-device: 12W×18h=$27, 10W×20h=$10, 4W×22h=$4, 5W×16h=$4, 6W×23h=$7. Total $53/year.

2High-Standby Home (cable box + gaming setup)

Inputs

DevicesCable box, 2 consoles, home theater, PC
Total Standby65W across devices
Electricity Rate$0.16/kWh

Result

Annual Savings$104
Investment$75 (2 strips + 1 plug)
Payback9 months

High-standby devices (cable box 20W, consoles 10W each, theater 15W, PC 10W) at higher rate yield $104/year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How much can a smart plug save per device?

Savings depend on standby wattage and idle hours. A TV + soundbar drawing 12W for 18 idle hours/day wastes $27/year. A $15 smart plug eliminating this waste pays back in 7 months. High-standby devices like cable boxes (20W) save $35+/year per plug.

  • TV + soundbar (12W standby, 18 hrs idle): saves $27/year, payback 7 months
  • Game console (10W standby, 20 hrs idle): saves $25/year, payback 7 months
  • Desktop computer (8W standby, 16 hrs idle): saves $16/year, payback 11 months
  • Coffee maker (4W standby, 22 hrs idle): saves $11/year, payback 11 months
Q

Are smart plugs worth it for every device?

Smart plugs are most worthwhile for devices drawing 5W+ in standby with 16+ hours of idle time daily. Low-standby devices (modern phone chargers at 0.5W) save only $0.50–$1/year—not worth a $10–15 plug. Focus on entertainment centers and home offices first.

  • High ROI: cable boxes, game consoles, TV setups, desktop computers, printers
  • Moderate ROI: coffee makers, microwaves (with clock displays), multifunction printers
  • Low ROI: phone chargers, modern laptop chargers, LED night lights
  • Smart power strips ($20–$35) can control 3–5 devices on one strip for better per-device ROI
Q

What is the difference between a smart plug and a smart power strip?

A smart plug ($8–$15) controls one outlet. A smart power strip ($20–$35) controls multiple outlets independently or in groups, with some always-on outlets for devices like routers. Strips are more cost-effective for entertainment centers and desks with multiple devices.

  • Smart plug: one device, compact, fits tight spaces, $8–$15
  • Smart strip: 3–6 independently controlled outlets plus always-on outlets, $20–$35
  • Smart strip for entertainment: kills TV, soundbar, and console together when TV turns off
  • Always-on outlet on smart strip keeps router/modem powered while killing other devices
Q

How do I measure standby power?

Use a Kill-A-Watt meter ($20–30) plugged between the device and outlet. Leave it for 24 hours to measure standby consumption. Alternatively, many smart plugs with energy monitoring (TP-Link Kasa, Wemo Insight) track consumption automatically.

  • Kill-A-Watt P3 meter: $25, most accurate measurement, shows real-time and cumulative watts
  • Smart plugs with monitoring: TP-Link Kasa ($15), Wemo Insight ($25), track usage in their app
  • Common standby ranges: TVs 2–10W, cable boxes 15–30W, consoles 5–15W, chargers 1–5W
  • Measure at the outlet—device specs often understate actual standby consumption

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Last Updated: Mar 25, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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