DOES UNPLUGGING APPLIANCES SAVE ELECTRI

What’s Vampire Power?

Also called phantom load, it’s the electricity devices

draw while “off” or idle—anything with a clock, light, or sleep mode.

How Much It Costs

Standby power usually makes up 5–10% of a home’s usage,

about $50–$150 a year. Example: a 20 W DVR left on all year costs around $35 doing nothing.

What to Leave Plugged In

Don’t touch essentials like the fridge, router,

smoke alarms, medical devices, or smart-home hubs you rely on.

Easy Ways to Cut It

• Use smart strips for TVs and consoles.

• Disable “instant-on” for game consoles and shorten PC sleep timers.

• Kill power to rarely used gear (like spare printers or garage fridges).

• Add smart plugs or timers for lamps, heaters, and holiday lights.

• Unplug chargers when not in use.

Bottom line: Target the big drains, automate the rest, and save without hassle.