A guide to energy vampires

Vampire power is the energy consumed by your appliances and electronic devices even when they're not in active use. Imagine your television quietly sitting in standby mode, ready to spring to life with the press of a remote button, or your phone charger, plugged in without anything to charge. These are examples of vampire power at work. Even though you may think they’re off, devices in standby mode are still slowly draining electricity and contributing to your monthly electricity costs.

Quick facts:

• What is vampire power? It's the power your devices consume when you think they're completely off. It can also be referred to as a ghost load or phantom load.

• What is standby power? It’s the electricity used by devices to maintain settings and quickly turn back on. For example, although you may not be actively using your smart speaker devices, they are still continually drawing power to be ready to turn on at the sound of your voice.

• What is idle current? It’s the minimal power devices consume while sitting in standby mode.

• Vampire power’s impact on energy bills: Even when not actively being used, your devices can add a considerable amount to your monthly electricity expenses.

While a single device might not consume much power in standby mode, the cumulative effect of multiple devices can be substantial. It’s estimated that in the average U.S. home, vampire power may account for up to 25% of a household's electricity usage, translating into a significant portion of your annual energy costs.ⁱ The U.S consumes roughly 16% of the world’s electricity annually.ⁱⁱ This means that the cumulative effect grows significantly when accounting for the ghost load carried by all the homes throughout the country.

Identifying devices that use vampire power

Appliances like televisions, computers and kitchen gadgets are some of the most common culprits when it comes to ghost load. However, less obvious devices, such as digital clocks, standby coffee makers and even game consoles, can also contribute to vampire energy.

Other devices that might be less-obvious energy wasters are those designed to be "remote ready," like smart home assistants and certain appliances like televisions, which need power to receive signals, adding to the vampire load even when you think they're off.

Common power suckers:

• Printers
• Stereos
• Televisions
• Microwaves
• Garage door openers
• Video game consoles
• Digital clocks
• Coffee maker
• Electric toothbrushes
• Plugged-in devices like cell phones, tablets or laptops
• Unused chargers

How to slay energy vampires

Reducing your vampire energy usage doesn't require a stake through the heart but rather some smart strategies and habits to minimize unnecessary power consumption. With small changes around your home, you can help reduce your monthly bill and make an impact on the planet.

• Embrace power strips: One of the simplest yet most effective tools in your arsenal against vampire power is the power strip. By plugging multiple devices into a power strip and turning it off when those devices are not in use, you can cut the power supply easily and prevent energy waste.
• Unplug chargers: Chargers for phones, laptops and tablets continue to draw power even when they're not connected to their devices. Make it a habit to unplug them after each use to help reduce unnecessary energy use when they have nothing to charge.
• Smart home upgrades: Invest in smart plugs and smart power strips that allow you to control the power supply to devices remotely via a smartphone app. This way, you can easily shut off power to devices not in use, even when you're not at home.
• Upgrade your appliances: When it's time to replace or upgrade electronics and appliances, look for energy-efficient models. These are designed to minimize energy consumption, including reducing your ghost load. When shopping for appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label, indicating they meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Calculating the cost of energy vampires

Understanding how you use energy in your home and the cost of your home’s ghost load is an important part of reducing your usage. According to a National Research Defense Council report, Americans spent roughly $165-$440 annually on vampire energy.ⁱⁱⁱ While this amount does vary by location, local electricity rates, overall usage and more, it does paint a picture of hundreds of dollars being wasted each year.

Calculating the electricity usage of your devices can be difficult, but with certain energy management tools, you may be able to get an idea of your home’s phantom load. Check out your electricity provider's energy management tools or ways to view your actual usage data. For example, Reliant offers intuitive tools to help you easily track your usage by the day, week and even year straight from your account dashboard or even on the Reliant mobile app.

Using this data, you can view your usage on days or times when you’re not home or you believe your electricity usage was low. This should help give you a basic understanding of your ghost load. Then, as you implement more energy-saving tools, you can continue to monitor your usage and see how these changes affect your home’s phantom load and your monthly electricity bill.

Take control and reclaim your energy

Not only can vampire power impact your electricity bill, but it can also affect the environment with all the excess energy consumption. By being armed with the knowledge and best energy-saving strategies, you can help combat this hidden energy drain. When you identify devices that contribute to ghost load, implement smart energy-saving habits and make informed choices about the appliances and electronics you use, you can help make a difference in your home and for the planet.

At Reliant, we're more than just your energy provider; we're your partner in powering, protecting and simplifying life. We believe in empowering you with the tools and knowledge to make smart energy choices that benefit your home and lifestyle. Together, we can tackle vampire power and help create a more sustainable future.

Frequently asked questions 

What are energy vampires and how do they affect me?

Vampire power, also known as phantom load or ghost load, refers to the energy consumed by your appliances and electronic devices even when they're not in active use. This silent energy consumption can inflate your energy bills and contribute to unnecessary energy waste.

How can I identify devices that use vampire power in my home?

Common devices that contribute to vampire power include desktop computers, monitors, printers, televisions, microwaves and even digital clocks. Look for appliances and electronics that remain on standby mode, ready to be activated, such as game consoles or coffee makers. Devices designed to be "remote-ready" are also key contributors.

What are some effective ways to reduce the impact of energy vampires in my home?

You can slay vampire power by embracing power strips,  unplugging chargers when not in use, investing in smart home upgrades like smart plugs and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. These simple yet effective strategies can help minimize unnecessary power consumption.

How much does vampire power cost me annually?

According to a National Research Defense Council report, Americans could spend approximately $165-$440 annually on vampire energy. This amount varies based on location, local electricity rates and overall usage, highlighting the importance of managing ghost load to help save money.

Can making changes to energy vampires really make a difference?

Yes, even small changes in how you manage devices and appliances in your home can reduce vampire power consumption. By identifying energy-draining devices and implementing smart energy-saving habits, you can contribute to a larger movement toward energy efficiency and environmental stewardship, making a positive impact on both your household and the planet.

How can Reliant help me manage energy vampires?

At Reliant, we're committed to empowering you with the knowledge and tools to make smart energy choices. We offer innovative energy management tools and helpful energy-saving tips to help you understand your usage and how to be more energy efficient.

Sources:

ⁱHow to Conserve Energy at Home | HowStuffWorks

ⁱⁱFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

ⁱⁱⁱNRDC: Home Idle Load - Devices Wasting Huge Amounts of Electricity When Not in Active Use (PDF)