Unplug everything & save

Your mother always told you to turn the lights off when you leave a room. Add your TV, computer and cell phone charger to that list.

Your electronic gadgets guzzle less electricity when they’re turned off than when they’re turned on. Yet most appliances still use electricity when they’re turned off. Even “standby mode” requires most appliances to leave some circuits on, waiting for the command to activate.

In fact, as much as 13% of home energy use might be from electronics on standby, estimates one study. Even more is wasted on devices like stereos, cell phone chargers and kitchen appliances that are turned off but still plugged in. Some people call this waste of energy “vampire power.”

Your best bet for energy savings – unplug everything when you’re not using it. For more information on appliances and energy use, visit "www.energystar.gov".