Does Unplugging Appliances Really Save Electricity? A Look at “Vampire Power”

Think about the devices in your home right now. Is your television “off”? It’s probably still using some energy. Is your coffee maker plugged in with its digital clock glowing? It’s “imagining tomorrow’s brew—and utilizing power to make it happen.” What about your phone charger? If it’s “connected but without a phone,” it is still drawing juice. These small, constant energy draws can add up over time.

What is Vampire Power and Why It’s Costing You Money

Vampire power goes by a few different names, including “phantom load,” “standby power,” and “leaking electricity.” It is the energy that devices use when they are not actively in use but are still plugged into an outlet. This happens for several reasons:

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