Every month, millions of Americans are unknowingly paying for electricity they don’t even use. The culprit? “Vampire power” — the energy that devices and appliances keep drawing even when they’re turned off but still plugged in.
Think about your TV, phone charger, microwave, or game console. Even in standby mode, they’re sipping power 24/7. For many households, this hidden drain can add up to hundreds of dollars a year.
How to Slay the Energy Vampires
1. Unplug When You Can
If you’re not using it, unplug it. This works especially well for phone chargers, kitchen appliances, and entertainment systems that aren’t used all day.
2. Use Smart Power Strips
These clever strips can cut power to multiple devices with one switch or even detect when a device goes into standby mode and shut it off automatically.
3. Upgrade to Energy-Smart Devices
When replacing electronics, choose energy-efficient models that are designed to minimize standby power use.
Why This Works
