Energy Vampires: How Phantom Loads Drain Your Electric Bill in 2025—and 21 Easy Ways to Stop Them
“Energy vampires” (a.k.a. phantom loads or standby power) are the devices that sip electricity 24/7—think TVs in standby, always‑plugged chargers, Wi‑Fi gear, coffee makers with glowing clocks. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates standby power accounts for 5%–10% of home electricity