The Electrical Vampire Effect

With the cost of electricity continuing to remain high, many people are doing what they can to save in different ways, such as switching to fluorescent light bulbs, drying clothes on a clothesline, or the much more involved methods of using wind or solar power. One thing that is often overlooked though, can be found in the so called "vampire power; used by consumer electronic products when they are in standby mode. Many stereos, TVs, cable boxes, and especially computers use a small amount of electrical energy even after the power switch is turned off, which can add up over a year’s time.

Though some of this power is critical to function for these items, it is estimated that 5% of all power used in the U.S. is for standby power with some European countries coming in at 10% and Japan at 12%. The state of California has even addressed this issue with a bill under the name of "Vampire Slayer Act of 2006;