Are You Wasting Electricity While You Sleep?

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Electricity doesn’t stop flowing just because we’re asleep, and for many Americans, that means higher utility bills. Whether it’s out of habit, comfort, or just forgetfulness, millions leave multiple devices running overnight without realizing the financial impact. We surveyed over 1,000 Americans to learn more about their nighttime energy use and how it affects their relationships, spending priorities, and awareness of electricity costs.

Key Takeaways

• Over half of Americans (59%) leave 3 or more household electronics running while sleeping. Only 4% shut off nonessential items each night.
• 57% of Americans don’t consider how overnight energy use adds to electricity costs.
• 1 in 5 have been in a household or relationship argument over overnight energy use.
• 27% of Americans turn off their Wi-Fi router nightly.

What Americans Leave Running While They Sleep

• Wi-Fi routers (73%), fans/air conditioners (66%), and charging cables/devices (65%) are the most common power consumers left on while sleeping.
  • 77% of Texans leave their fan/air conditioner on while sleeping.
  • Gen Z is the most likely to leave their game console on while sleeping (13%).
  • 27% of Americans turn off their Wi-Fi router nightly.
• Nearly 3 in 5 Americans (59%) leave 3 or more devices or electronics running at home while sleeping. Among Texans, this jumps to 70%.
• 47% of Americans sleep with electronics or lights on every night, while 31% say they rarely or never do so.
  • 53% of Texans sleep with electronics or lights on every night.

• Convenience/habit (30%) is the most common reason for leaving household items on while sleeping.
  • Gen Z is the most likely to leave household items on during sleep due to fear of the dark (5%).

• 18% of Americans say they leave certain electronics on at night due to their partner or spouse.

Awareness of Overnight Electricity Use

• Less than half of Americans (43%) consider how overnight energy use adds to their electricity costs.
  • Generationally, millennials are the least likely to think about it (41%).
  • Only 38% of Texans think about it.

• 78% of Americans believe they could save up to $100 annually by reducing their overnight energy usage.

• If Americans could save $100 per year on energy, they would prioritize spending it on groceries, followed by saving it or paying off debt.

• 35% of Americans would be most motivated to change their overnight energy habits if it led to saving at least $100 annually.

• Still, 57% would never turn off their Wi-Fi router, and 46% would never turn off their fan or air conditioner while sleeping.

• Top items Americans would consider using to reduce overnight energy usage:

• • Smart plugs or timers
  • Energy-efficient devices
  • Auto shut-off reminders

The Social Impact of Overnight Energy Habits

• 33% of Americans would change their overnight energy use habits to save money.

• 68% of Americans believe others underestimate the cost of overnight energy usage. Gen Z is the most likely to believe this (74%).

• 1 in 5 Americans say they have been in a household or relationship argument over overnight energy use. Households with 5 or more individuals were the most likely to experience this (32%).

• 11% of Americans believe overnight energy waste should be taxed or penalized as part of future climate policies. Gen Z is the most supportive of this (18%).

Methodology

We surveyed 1,005 Americans about their energy consumption habits while sleeping.

About Payless Power

Payless Power provides affordable, flexible electricity plans to Texas residents — no credit checks or deposits required. Our prepaid electricity options help you take control of your energy usage and avoid surprise bills. Whether you’re trying to cut costs or reduce waste, Payless Power is here to help you power your home smarter.

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This content may be shared for noncommercial purposes only. When using or referencing this article, please include a link to Payless Power with proper attribution.

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