Appliances that use energy when not in use:

Appliances that consume energy even when they’re not in use are often referred to as “vampire” or “phantom” loads because they silently draw power, contributing to energy waste and higher electricity bills. Some common appliances that fall into this category include:

1. Televisions: Many modern TVs consume standby power to maintain features like instant-on capability or remote control functionality.
2. Computers: Desktop computers, laptops, and peripherals like monitors, printers, and speakers often continue to draw power even when in sleep mode or turned off but still plugged in.
3. Chargers: Chargers for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices often consume energy even when they’re not actively charging anything.
4. Microwaves: Microwave ovens often have digital clocks and timers that continuously draw power, even when not in use.
5. Game Consoles: Game consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch may draw power for updates, standby modes, or keeping network connections active.
6. Coffee Makers: Many coffee makers have clocks, timers, or warming plates that consume energy when not brewing coffee.
7. Cable Boxes and DVRs: Set-top boxes for cable or satellite TV, as well as digital video recorders (DVRs), often consume power continuously to keep features like on-demand programming and recording schedules available.
8. Kitchen Appliances: Appliances like toasters, blenders, and food processors with digital displays or clocks may consume energy when not in use.
9. Smart Home Devices: Devices like smart speakers, smart thermostats, and smart plugs may draw power for standby mode or to maintain connectivity.
10. Some Appliances with Remote Controls: Appliances like air conditioners, heaters, fans, and even some lights with remote controls may draw power to maintain the remote control functionality.

Reducing the energy consumption of these appliances when not in use can be achieved by unplugging them when not needed or by using power strips with an on/off switch to completely cut off power to multiple devices at once. Additionally, choosing energy-efficient models and utilizing energy-saving settings can help minimize standby power consumption.