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

Many of us are used to our homes being quiet and still when we are sleeping or away. We turn off the lights, lock the doors, and assume everything is at rest. But what if your home is actually “awake” even when you’re fast asleep? This isn’t about ghosts or your teenager looking for a midnight snack. It’s about something much more common and a lot sneakier: “vampire power.”

This “vampire power” is also known as standby power. It’s the small but constant flow of electricity that many of our electronics and gadgets use, even when they are supposedly turned “off.” This might seem strange, but it’s very real. It’s called “vampire power” for a reason—it secretly “sucks” energy from your electrical outlets without you even realizing it.

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

Continue reading…