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
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Use smart strips for TVs and consoles.
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Disable “instant-on” for game consoles and shorten PC sleep timers.
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Kill power to rarely used gear (like spare printers or garage fridges).
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Add smart plugs or timers for lamps, heaters, and holiday lights.
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Unplug chargers when not in use.
Bottom line: Target the big drains, automate the rest, and save without hassle.