Is it true that if you leave something plugged in and turned off that it will still be using energy?

Question

Is it true that if you leave something plugged in and turned off that it will still be using energy?

Answer 1

Yes,  even if the item is turned off, it is still drawing some power. You should definitely unplug some of the things that you don't need to be using.

Answer 2

yes, most appliances, dvd's, vcr's have clocks that use power; radios, tv's stereos, etc have standby lights so you're remote can work - which also sucks power.  

buy things that are low energy users.

Answer 3

Yes! You're paying for wasted energy. I'm going to check out those Smart Powers strips. If they check out; I'll get two.  I'll place one in my office & one in the media room.

Answer 4

Yes, it is true.

As a matter of fact, a lot of devices like DVD/VCR, for example will just turn that little red light off when you turn them off...all the rest is still on, like the clock and the memory, waiting to record something when it's time. But of course you would not want to unplug anything having a timer.

Even things without timer still use a small amount of energy, a few dollars every years so it's not that big, unless you have a lot of electrical stuff.

Make sure you unplug everything when you go away, so as to save money but most of all avoid fire hazard.

Once, my house was hit by thunder and everything that was still plugged in fried on the spot! (luckily I had surge protection for my computer). All the lights went off and suddenly, in the silence and the darkness, you could here a little music...it was my little brother's toothbrush with batteries in it that turned on by itself (it was cordless, not even plugged in, you know those toothbrushes where the music lasts 3mn to let kids know when to stop brushing...).

It was spooky and funny at the same time.

Answer 5

Yes, it's true. Oprah did a show on conservation not too long ago and they spoke about that.

You don't have to spend money to save the planet. Investing in items like the Smart Power Strip will conserve energy and cash.

Simran says most people don't know that plugged-in appliances and electronics use energy even if they're turned off. "We're spending all this money to power things that are in the off position," she says. "We call it vampire standby power."

To cut your electricity costs, Simran suggests plugging in your electronics to the Smart Power Strip, which retails for $32.95. Then, when you turn off the power strip, all the items plugged into it will also power down.

Over time, you'll see your monthly electricity bill and your energy usage decrease.

I hope this was useful,Take Care!!! :)

Answer 6

Too true!

Answer 7

Yes.  Mobile telephone chargers should only be plugged in when actually being used to charge.  Anything that charges should be unplugged until the item needs charged.  It is only a little bit of energy, but it all adds up.

Answer 8

Yes.

Answer 9

uhm..... no cuz if its turned off.. i don't see how that would be using energy... and if it did, it wouldn't like cost much on your energy bill.. so don't worrry about it toooooo much. ☺

Answer 10

Yes! So, unplug those unused alarm clocks, toasters, coffee makers and your scented plug in's. Take a look sometime. Turn everything to off. Leave the fridge on of course and then walk outside and look at the elctrical meter...it will spin slowly. Then go back in plug everything back in, turn on the lights, etc., and then go back outside and watch the electrical meter dance (spin fast).

Answer 11

HEY! READ THIS!  yes, because if you feel it it is still warm.  This is caused by a complete circuit through the socket.  So it is using electricity.

Answer 12

It DOES depend on the device!  If it is a simple lamp or toaster, etc.; then it does not use any power when turned-off.

Obviously, if it has a clock or indicator light or a lighted display, then it does use power when turned-off.  However, if it is only a clock & the circuitry has a good design, then the power level could be extremely tiny.  (A wrist watch can run for 10 years on a tiny battery.)

One of the worst offenders is the standard CRT based TV set.  Even though it may not have any visible lights or clock, it does have to be able to detect the power-on signal from the remote control.

Worse yet, the CRT works with a hot filament a vacuum tube, similar to an incandescent light bulb.  Normally, you'd expect the filament to be completely off when the set is off; but it isn't.  Why?  Because the screen turns on much more quickly if the filament is kept warm all of the time.

Answer 13

yes,... have you ever noticed like a cell phone charger buzzing alittle bit even when it's not hooked up to your phone? it's because it still takes energy from the plug because the energy is still flowing.  Surpirising, isn't it?!

Answer 14

it depends on what it is. something like your dvd player does. ever notice that little red light that turns to green when you turn it on? how do you think it glows? anything that has an internal clock, like tv's, dvr's, computers, etc also draw electricity.

Answer 15

yes, being the naturally stupid teenager i am, i stuck my tongue to my cellphone charger after hearing that and i could feel the tingle from the electricity

Answer 16

Yes, for example a VCR or a DVD Player has the digital display and it is on even after you turn it off. That is why you should disconnect the device.

Answer 17

yes, the object still has energy stored in it.

Answer 18

Yes!  Even though the electricly powered device is switched OFF,  some electricity is leaked through the wiring, since the power IS connected via the plug.

Answer 19

maybe a minuscule amount

Answer 20

yes and no.

light bulb?  no.

instant on TV?  yes.

some kind of charger, usually yes.

anything you can use a remote to turn off and on?  yes.

most old stuff, no.

Answer 21

if it is switched off it does not use energy unless there are other standby componants and clocks build in.

Answer 22

Yes.  A good way to fix this is when you have alot of appliances you don't use much such as in the kitchen plug them all in to a surge protector and unplug it when finished.  You will never have to worry about the coffee pot again.

Answer 23

Yes, it's true.

The reason is that everything that is plugged into an outlet keeps a charge, whether its turn on or off.  The amount of energy it uses is small, but the answer is Yes.

Answer 24

yes its true

Answer 25

Yes and this would depend on the item plugged in.

Some items will not use any energy if turned off but some might while they are plugged in.

Answer 26

Depends on what it is.  TV's, VCR, XBox, Stereos, and more use a measurable amount of electricity to hold internal memories, look for remote controll signals, etc. If your not sure unplug it. I use a meter called a Kill-A-Watt ($35.00 @local hardware store) to tell me how much each appliance / device uses on or off.

Answer 27

It depends on what it is. A lot of things have digital clocks which use a small amount of energy.

Answer 28

yes sir, anything that has a memory or clock still draws juice...one of the worst is your cell phone charger, thing draws the same amount of current regardless if it's charging a phone or not

Answer 29

Yeah. But that doesn't mean you have to go around your house unplugging things that you aren't currently using.

XD

Answer 30

My DS,Nintendogs,I feed it save,and somehow,when I turn it off,and later when I get back to them,they are from full to hungry again,so I have no idea how my DS does that.

And my dad told me to take out the flashlights batteries out or else,even if it's turned off,the battery power will be lost.