If you’re seeing high electricity bills these days, the problem might be stemming from more than the temperatures outside. It’s common for the scorching summer months of the summer to jack up your utility bills to cover the expense of your cooling appliances, but some of your other appliances or hidden devices may be adding to the total expense. We checked with a pro who shared seven common places in the home may be contributing to higher electricity bills without you realizing it, and how you can bring the prices back down with small adjustments. Jeri Goodkin Dausey is the certified general contractor and certified building inspector at Violation Clinic.

Cable Boxes and Streaming Devices

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It shouldn’t be surprising to see that TV systems are common culprits of high utility bills. Cable boxes, DVRs, TVs, gaming systems, and streaming devices often run 24/7, even when the screen itself is turned off. “Many never truly enter a low-power sleep mode and continue downloading updates, maintaining network connections, and staying partially active at all times,” says contractor Jeri Goodkin Dausey. “Over the course of a year, these devices can quietly add a noticeable amount to a homeowner’s electric bill.” So while it may tedious to keep unplugging and plugging the cords back in, you may appreciate the lower bills that can come from this effort. If nothing else, unplugging them while you’re on vacation should make a difference.

Phone Chargers Left Plugged In

Similarly, your phone charges can cause just as damage to your electricity bills when they stay plugged in while not in us. “Most chargers continue drawing small amounts of standby power anytime they remain plugged into an outlet,” Dausey says. “Individually the usage is minor, but throughout an entire home with multiple chargers plugged in around the clock, the wasted energy adds up over time.”

Older Refrigerators or Garage Refrigerators

One of the biggest luxuries is having the garage refrigerator for extra goods, but this can be a place that’s stealing more electricity. If the appliance is older, Dausey says that aging compressors and poor insulation force these appliances to work significantly harder than modern energy-efficient models. If you live in an area like Florida where it gets especially hot, Dausey says garage refrigerators become even more inefficient because they operate in extremely high ambient temperatures.

Desktop Computers and Home Office Equipment

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Whether you work from home or just have a dedicated work space, some equipment in this room could also be stealing electricity. Small appliances like desktop computers, monitors, printers, and accessories consume steady electricity throughout the day and night even when not actively in use. Dausey recommends enabling sleep settings and shutting equipment down after hours to help create meaningful savings over time.

Pool Pumps Running Excessively

If you have a pool, the pump is another area pitching up to these unwanted costs. “Many homeowners unknowingly run pool pumps much longer than necessary,” says Dausey. “Older single-speed pumps are particularly inefficient because they operate at full power continuously.” To reduce energy use, Dausey suggests investing in a variable-speed pump and properly adjusting schedules to fit your needs.

HVAC Systems With Dirty Filters or Poor Maintenance

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If you’re not keeping up with your routine AC maintenance, then this could explain why your electricity bill has been higher than expected. When dust covers the filter, air coming into your home from your system has a hard time leveling out. This can lead to a unit that has to work over time to reach it’s set temperature. “Air conditioning systems consume more electricity than almost any other household system,” Dausey says. “Dirty air filters, clogged coils, leaking ductwork, or neglected maintenance force HVAC systems to work harder and run longer to maintain the same temperature.”

Smart Home Devices and Wi-Fi Equipment

While some of the more troublesome items come from those that are older, modern appliances and technology can also increase your electricity usage. Smart speakers, cameras, thermostats, routers, boosters, and connected home devices are items that Dausey says are constantly powered and connected to the internet. “As smart home technology becomes more common, these background energy loads continue increasing,” she says. “Small adjustments like unplugging unused devices, upgrading older appliances, improving HVAC maintenance, and using smart power strips can collectively make a significant difference over time.”

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