Wall Power

Wall Power

Does an appliance that is not turned on but plugged into the wall still draw power?

Here's your chance to solve a bet between me and my wife!

She's convinced that a toaster which is plugged into a wall socket, yet is not turned on (but has no other electrical power draws such as an LED clock) is affecting our power bill just the same as if it were turned on.

She's quoting the Vampire Appliances study as stated by news.cornell.edu with regards to computers in a hibernate state.

I'm trying to tell her that she's mistaken with regards to different appliances and their engergy states. Extra bonus points if you can list the notorious Vampire Appliances.

No. The toaster you describe will not consume any power when switched off, even though it is plugged in to the socket.

Just like a flashlight bulb won't consume power when it is switched off although the bulb is still plugged in.