What is Vampire Power and How Can You Reduce It?

Even when your electronics appear to be turned off, many continue to use small amounts of electricity. This hidden energy use is often referred to as vampire power, phantom power, or standby power. 

What Causes Vampire Power?

Some electronics continue to draw power in order to stay connected to the internet, respond to a remote control, display the time, or start quickly when turned back on. 

Which Devices Commonly Use Vampire Power?

Vampire power may be hiding in more places than you realize. Common examples include:

• TVs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, and sound systems
• Desktop computers, printers, and scanners
• Smart speakers, smart displays, and smart lightbulbs
• Phone chargers and other charging cables

Why Does Vampire Power Matter?

Most homes contain electronics that draw power throughout the day. Vampire power from one device may not add much to your electric bill on its own, but the combined energy use from dozens of electronics throughout your home can add up overtime. 

How Can You Reduce Vampire Power?

You can reduce wasted energy by:

• Unplugging devices you rarely use
• Connecting electronics to advanced power strips
• Turning off entertainment systems completely when not in use
• Powering down office equipment overnight and on weekends
• Reviewing the settings on smart devices to determine whether continuous connectivity is necessary

Advanced power strips make this easier by automatically cutting power off to connected devices when the primary device, such as a TV or computer, is turned off. 

Measure Your Energy Use 

You can borrow an Electricity Usage Monitor for free to help you identify when and how much electricity your devices use. You can also use Efficiency Smart's Electricity Usage Calculator to estimate the cost of operating electronics and appliances in your home. 

Reducing vampire power is a simple way to cut unnecessary energy use. While the savings from any one device may be small, taking steps to limit standby power throughout your home can help lower electricity costs over time. 

Do you have questions about vampire power or want to explore more ways to save energy? We’re here to help. Contact us at 877-889-3777 or [email protected].