In 2020, the total energy usage in the US reached a whopping 93 quadrillion British thermal units. The residential sector, in turn, accounted for about 22% of that total consumption.

Granted, that's a considerable drop from the previous year's total usage. However, there's still a lot that consumers can do to trim their energy use. One of these is to slay the energy vampires in their homes.

So, what is an energy vampire, and which items at home belong to the flock? How do you even stop these power-hungry suckers?

This guide will answer all those questions, so be sure to read on.

An energy vampire is any electronic device that consumes energy even when turned off and not in use. They also go by the name power vampires. Either way, so long as you keep such items plugged in, they can keep using and wasting energy.

Unfortunately, power vampires don't only add to your electricity bills. Since they use energy, it also means they're contributing to your carbon footprint.

It's even more crucial to stop power vampires if you rely on solar panels. For starters, they can offset some of the savings from your solar panel installation. They can also eat away at the excess solar energy you've stored in your solar batteries.

Some of the best examples of energy vampires are appliances on standby mode. According to previous estimates, it accounts for 3% up to 10% of electricity use in homes and offices.

Standby power offers convenience, as it lets electric devices turn on quickly. However, it also forces electronics to continue drawing power from the electrical grid.

Any device with a standby light, clock, or display panel relies on a standby power supply. These include TVs, radios, coffee makers, thermostats, and microwave ovens, to name a few.

Wall warts, such as bulky cellphone chargers, are also energy vampires. These are the power adapters containing a plug big enough to cover the adjacent socket. Like appliances on standby mode, these warts continue to suck energy if left plugged in.

Power vampires can also take the form of large charging bricks or corded boxes. These include laptop chargers, gaming console chargers, and cable or satellite TV boxes.

The easiest way is to disconnect all chargers that aren't in use. For instance, you can make it a habit to remove these plugs as soon as they've fully charged your devices.

It's also wise to unplug all devices with a standby feature before leaving home for work or school. You'll be out for several hours anyway, and plugging them back in will only take a few seconds.

There you have it, the brief but concise guide answering your question, "what is an energy vampire?" Now that you know what it is, it's time to identify the ones you have at home.

The sooner you do, the sooner you can put a stop to their energy-sucking activities. In doing so, you can trim your utility bills while also cutting your carbon footprint.

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