Not all energy emergencies are serious enough to result in a blackout. In some cases, your energy provider may implement a brownout, in which they reduce the electricity supply but don’t cut it off entirely. In a brownout, the power supply may drop by 10-25%. You may not notice any impact on low-voltage devices, such as light bulbs, but household electronics like computers could be affected. By using smart power strips or surge protectors, you can protect these devices from damage — and also prevent them from drawing vampire energy when not in use.