Vampire power is pesky and it's costing you money, without you realising. Learn what it is and how to avoid it. 

Vampires are notorious for sneaking up on their victims, and taking them by surprise. Which is exactly what vampire power does, too! Sharing other names such as standby power, vampire draw, phantom load, or leaking electricity, this treacherous invisible being consumes power, often without you even realising it!

When we turn off our devices, such as switching off the TV when we’ve finished streaming, or flicking the coffee machine off, we tend to believe that the appliance is completely off. We might even think that the appliance won’t be using power at all, especially while it’s off, right?

Sadly, this would be wrong. Power vampires lurk amongst us. Silent and invisible! 

Here at Power Compare, we want to equip you with the garlic and the wooden stakes so that you can avoid this unwelcome situation!

What is Standby Mode?

When we switch our devices off, they fall into what is called standby mode. This is when a small amount of power is consumed – whether that be to illuminate the LED light, or power the remote control sensor on your TV. That way, the appliance is ready to go when you are. When you leave your phone charger on at all times, ready to plug in to your phone at night, it will still consume power even when there is nothing to charge. 

These devices and appliances tend to fall victim to vampire power the most:

• TVs
• Internet routers
• Cell Phone chargers
• Game consoles
• Microwave ovens
• Stereos

How Bad Could it Be?

Did you know that the sneaky vampire power can use up to a $100 worth of power per year in Kiwi households. Yep! That’s right. It’s sneaky because it can be so easy to fall into the habit of only turning the device off, not the power.

We’d Rather Spend that Money on a Holiday!

Speaking of, if you are going away this summer, make sure you switch your appliances off at the wall before you head out the door. 

Other top tips for avoiding the vampire power jumpscare:

• Invest in energy efficient appliances. 
  
• And use PriceMe to compare different ones and find the most efficient model at the best price. 
  
• Switch! Power Compare is a useful tool that allows you to compare different power providers and plans side-by-side. So you can choose a better deal for a more attractive price. 
  

Need Help to Compare?

Totally! Our friendly customer support centre is just a free call away on 0508 226672. They are here to help you make an informed decision about the power provider you choose, without obligation, hassle, and bias. And it’s completely free!

Switching providers is a great way to save money and avoid that vampire power.

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