Does Unplugging Appliances Save Electricity? The Truth About “Vampire Power” (And What to Do About It)

Does Unplugging Appliances Save Electricity? The Truth About “Vampire Power” (And What to Do About It)

Here’s a surprising fact:

Your house can be awake even when you’re fast asleep.
Not from ghosts.
Not from your teenager eating midnight snacks.
But from something more insidious:
vampire power.

Standby power, the invisible trickle of electricity that seeps into gadgets even when they’re turned off, has that unflattering nickname. Indeed, it does.

Your TV? Using energy when it’s “off.”
Your coffee maker? Imagining tomorrow’s brew and using the power to make it happen.
Your phone charger? Plugged in but phone-less? The juice is still being squeezed.

What is vampire power? (And Why It’s Stealing Your Money)

Also known as phantom power, backup power, or leaked electricity, this is the energy devices use when:
They’re “off” but still functioning
They’re on standby (like your TV waiting for the remote)
They have clocks, lights, or instant-on features
They’re charging… but nothing’s connected
Common culprits include: