ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Standby power

Standby power is the electricity that appliances use when they are not turned on, but still plugged in. This is also known as "vampire power", because it slowly sucks energy from your house like a vampire does blood.

Think of your TV, for example. Even when you turn it off using the remote control, it still uses some power to update its software, so it's ready to go when you turn it on again. This standby power can add up quickly if you have a lot of appliances plugged in all the time.

To reduce standby power, you can unplug appliances when you're not using them, or use power strips with an on/off switch to easily turn off several appliances at once. You can also purchase energy-efficient appliances that use less standby power, and choose models with a "sleep mode" that uses even less power when not in use.

By reducing standby power in your house, you can save money on your electricity bill and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint!