Unplugging these 7 common household devices helped reduce my electricity bills

This ZDNET article explains how unplugging idle household devices—such as TVs, gaming consoles, printers, coffee makers, mini-fridges, and smart home accessories—can reduce “vampire” power draw and potentially save up to about $200 per year, with the U.S. Department of Energy noting up to 10% bill reductions from cutting phantom loads. It includes actionable tips like using fans instead of lowering A/C, improving insulation, switching to LEDs, and leveraging smart plugs for scheduled use, while emphasizing that small, consistent habits across multiple devices compound to meaningful savings.