10/20/2025

Reduce Costs and Energy Waste by Unplugging Unused Devices

Vampire Energy comes from leaving devices plugged in when not in use

The lights are off, the house is quiet and nothing seems to be running. But electricity is silently flowing through the plugs in your home. This hidden drain is known as phantom energy.

Also called "vampire energy," the wasted electricity comes from leaving devices plugged in when they're not in use. That could range from household items such as phone chargers and microwaves to TVs and gaming consoles.

This wasted electricity accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of home energy use, depending on factors like the age of the equipment, according to Alexis Abramson, dean of the Columbia Climate School.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Associated Press.