An estimated $10 billion US Dollars (USD) is wasted each year in the US on vampire power, or energy that is used by electronic devices that are plugged in but have been turned off. Common examples of energy vampires are televisions, microwaves, electronic chargers, computers and battery-powered remote controls. About 10% of energy used in the average American household is thought to be vampire power, and it costs more than $100 USD per year for the average household. The effects of energy vampires can be reduced by unplugging unused electronics or using a central power strip that can be turned off when the devices plugged into it are not in use.
More about energy usage:
- Plugged-in electronic devices that are not switched on are estimated to use more than 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year in the US.
- About 5% of all of the energy consumed in the world is vampire energy consumption from the US.
- The European Union, US, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand are among the countries that certify products that have been specifically designed to use less energy.