Vampire energy, also called phantom energy or standby power, is the electricity that some devices use when they’re turned off but still plugged in to a power outlet. The most common culprits are electronics and other “smart” devices that have a built-in clock or digital display, but other appliances can be energy vampires too. In many cases, electricity continues to flow through an adaptor that turns AC power into DC power, even when the device is fully charged or isn’t in use. Estimates vary, but the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), puts the price of vampire power at $165 per household or $19 billion nationwide every year. And this isn’t just a problem for our personal power bills. Energy vampires can also be an issue for small businesses with computers, water coolers, and other appliances continuing to draw power after everyone has gone home for the day. In fact, 1% of global carbon emissions can be attributed to standby energy — or 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in the United States alone.