Electricity never truly sleeps, and neither do many of the appliances scattered around the house. Flip a switch off and a tiny current often keeps flowing. Digital clocks glow. Sensors wait. Remote controls stand ready. That constant trickle of power, known as standby power or phantom load, may look harmless, but it adds up over weeks and months. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that standby power can account for about 5 to 10 percent of residential energy use, which means real money quietly leaves the household budget every year.
Cutting that waste does not require living in the dark or turning the home into a cave. A few smart unplugging habits can trim costs without sacrificing comfort. Here are seven appliances that deserve a closer look.
