{“id”:”CBMiywFBVV95cUxPUld3b3NFOXRBd1dDa2xCeWJ5YWlidmFvdGVfYnNxUi01Yk1JczhWM19ZSzUxeTlaSldqeEdHSkM1SjVoYm1teHNnQUZSWTJaX1Q4N0RtY3Nob3VOak9YXzlDNjBublFGOXJnVllDZnI3YnhVeEdEekZLMVV4a2VLXzVCcTRnMnJuNGhvREZFU2lSMHNIQTdkbG5sTTFkMkVyTGV4ZjNIVWR5c2tiaTB5V2VoRVg1M1JNUDJ1VjBBVjFELUUxTy11ZnBwaw”,”title”:”Un nouveau projet de loi bipartisan souhaite garantir que le prochain siècle de la technologie soit écrit en Amérique – CoinDesk”,”description”:”Un nouveau projet de loi bipartisan souhaite garantir que le prochain siècle de la technologie soit écrit en Amérique  CoinDesk“,”summary”:”Un nouveau projet de loi bipartisan souhaite garantir que le prochain siècle de la technologie soit écrit en Amérique  CoinDesk“,”url”:”https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxPUld3b3NFOXRBd1dDa2xCeWJ5YWlidmFvdGVfYnNxUi01Yk1JczhWM19ZSzUxeTlaSldqeEdHSkM1SjVoYm1teHNnQUZSWTJaX1Q4N0RtY3Nob3VOak9YXzlDNjBublFGOXJnVllDZnI3YnhVeEdEekZLMVV4a2VLXzVCcTRnMnJuNGhvREZFU2lSMHNIQTdkbG5sTTFkMkVyTGV4ZjNIVWR5c2tiaTB5V2VoRVg1M1JNUDJ1VjBBVjFELUUxTy11ZnBwaw?oc=5″,”dateCreated”:”2026-02-26T11:00:00.000Z”,”dateUpdated”:”2026-02-26T11:00:00.000Z”,”comments”:””,”author”:”news-webmaster@google.com”,”image”:{},”categories”:[],”source”:{“title”:”CoinDesk”,”url”:”https://www.coindesk.com”},”enclosures”:[],”rssFields”:{“title”:”Un nouveau projet de loi bipartisan souhaite garantir que le prochain siècle de la technologie soit écrit en Amérique – CoinDesk”,”link”:”https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxPUld3b3NFOXRBd1dDa2xCeWJ5YWlidmFvdGVfYnNxUi01Yk1JczhWM19ZSzUxeTlaSldqeEdHSkM1SjVoYm1teHNnQUZSWTJaX1Q4N0RtY3Nob3VOak9YXzlDNjBublFGOXJnVllDZnI3YnhVeEdEekZLMVV4a2VLXzVCcTRnMnJuNGhvREZFU2lSMHNIQTdkbG5sTTFkMkVyTGV4ZjNIVWR5c2tiaTB5V2VoRVg1M1JNUDJ1VjBBVjFELUUxTy11ZnBwaw?oc=5″,”guid”:”CBMiywFBVV95cUxPUld3b3NFOXRBd1dDa2xCeWJ5YWlidmFvdGVfYnNxUi01Yk1JczhWM19ZSzUxeTlaSldqeEdHSkM1SjVoYm1teHNnQUZSWTJaX1Q4N0RtY3Nob3VOak9YXzlDNjBublFGOXJnVllDZnI3YnhVeEdEekZLMVV4a2VLXzVCcTRnMnJuNGhvREZFU2lSMHNIQTdkbG5sTTFkMkVyTGV4ZjNIVWR5c2tiaTB5V2VoRVg1M1JNUDJ1VjBBVjFELUUxTy11ZnBwaw”,”pubdate”:”Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT”,”description”:”Un nouveau projet de loi bipartisan souhaite garantir que le prochain siècle de la technologie soit écrit en Amérique  CoinDesk“,”source”:”CoinDesk”},”date”:”2026-02-26T11:00:00.000Z”}CoinDesk

{“result”:”**Title: The Silent Thief in Your Home: How This Everyday Habit is Draining Your Wallet and Stealing Your Sleep**nn**Introduction**nnYou know that feeling. It’s late, the house is quiet, and a soft, familiar glow emanates from the corner of your living room. The television murmurs in the background, a companion for your scrolling, a beacon as you drift off. It feels harmless, even comforting. But what if I told you this nightly ritual is a silent thief? It’s not just stealing your electricity; it’s pilfering your hard-earned cash, undermining your health, and leaving a hidden footprint on the planet—all while you sleep. We’re talking about phantom energy, the secret life of your electronics, and the surprisingly costly habit of leaving devices on standby. This isn’t about grand gestures of sacrifice; it’s about uncovering the invisible drains in our modern lives and reclaiming control, one unplugged charger at a time.nn**The Hidden World of Phantom Energy Load**nnPhantom energy, often called vampire power or standby power, is the electricity consumed by electronic devices when they are switched off but still plugged in. Think of it as the device holding its breath, waiting for your command. That little red light on your game console, the blank screen on your microwave displaying the time, the charger with no phone attached—they are all sipping power, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.nnThis isn’t a trivial amount. The International Energy Agency estimates that phantom energy can account for up to 10% of an average household’s electricity bill. In a world of rising energy costs, that percentage translates into hundreds of dollars annually, money that literally vanishes into thin air. Your home is filled with these energy vampires:nn* **Entertainment Centers:** Modern TVs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, and sound systems are the worst offenders. Their “instant-on” features require constant power.n* **Kitchen Appliances:** Microwaves, coffee makers with digital clocks, and smart ovens constantly draw power for their displays and memory functions.n* **Office Equipment:** Printers, desktop computers, monitors, and speakers often have no true “off” switch.n* **Chargers and Adapters:** The humble phone charger or laptop power brick consumes energy whenever it’s plugged into an outlet, whether it’s charging a device or not.nn**Your Wallet’s Silent Drain: The Real Financial Cost**nnLet’s move from the abstract to your actual bank statement. The financial impact of phantom energy is both cumulative and significant. While a single device might only draw 1 to 5 watts on standby, the collective effect across dozens of gadgets in a home is staggering.nnConsider a common household scenario:n* A flat-screen TV and cable box on standby: ~$25-40 per yearn* A desktop computer and monitor left on: ~$30-50 per yearn* Various chargers and small appliances: ~$20-30 per yearnnSuddenly, that’s over $100 annually for absolutely no benefit—money that could fund a nice dinner out, a streaming subscription, or be added to your savings. Over a decade, we’re talking about a thousand dollars or more, quietly transferred from your pocket to the utility company. This is a passive financial leak that, once plugged, puts money back in your control with minimal ongoing effort.nn**Beyond the Bill: The Sleep and Health Connection**nnThe cost isn’t merely financial. The same devices leaching power can also leach your well-being. The ambient glow and low hum of electronics in the bedroom create what sleep scientists call “light pollution” and “noise pollution,” both enemies of deep, restorative sleep.nn* **Blue Light Intrusion:** Even tiny LED lights from a laptop charger, TV standby light, or smart speaker can disrupt your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.n* **Cognitive Association:** A bedroom cluttered with powered electronics subconsciously signals to your brain that it’s a space for activity and stimulation, not rest and recovery.n* **The Anxiety of Always Being “On”:** There’s a psychological weight to being perpetually connected. A bedroom free of phantom energy is a sanctuary, a clear physical boundary between the digital world and the personal space you need to recharge yourself.nnTransforming your bedroom into an electronics-free (or minimally electronic) zone is one of the most effective, zero-cost sleep hygiene upgrades you can make. It’s not just about saving watts; it’s about reclaiming your sleep.nn**The Environmental Ripple Effect You Never See**nnEvery kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed has a creation story. It was generated somewhere, most often by burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. Therefore, the phantom energy in millions of homes worldwide contributes directly to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change.nnScaling this up paints a powerful picture. If just one million households cut their phantom load by a modest amount, the collective reduction in CO2 emissions would be equivalent to taking thousands of cars off the road for a year. Your individual action, when multiplied by millions, is part of the solution. Reducing standby power is a effortless form of environmental stewardship—a simple, daily choice that reduces your carbon footprint without changing your lifestyle.nn**Your Action Plan: Slaying the Energy Vampires**nnConquering phantom energy doesn’t require a degree in electrical engineering. It’s about smart habits and a few simple tools. Here is your practical, step-by-step guide.nn**1. The Audit: Hunt the Phantoms.**nStart with a walkthrough of your home. Look for:n* Any device with a remote control.n* Anything with an external power brick or wall wart.n* Devices with a continuous display (clock, timer, settings).n* Anything that feels warm to the touch when “off.”nn**2. Deploy Your Weapons: Smart Power Strips.**nThis is the single most effective tool. Not all power strips are created equal.n* **Basic Switched Strips:** A simple strip with a master switch lets you turn off a whole entertainment center with one click.n* **Advanced Smart Strips:** These have a “controlled” outlet (for your TV) and “automatic” outlets (for your speakers/game console). When you turn the TV off, the strip cuts power to the peripherals automatically.nn**3. Cultivate New Habits.**n* Make “unplugging” part of your nightly routine, like locking the door.n* Charge devices during the day and unplug the charger when done.n* Use the manual power switch on printers and speakers when not in use for extended periods.nn**4. Prioritize Your Efforts.**nFocus on the big wins first:n* **Home Theater/Entertainment Center**n* **Home Office Setup**n* **Kitchen Counter Clutter** (toaster, coffee maker, microwave)nn**Answering Your Top Questions (Mini FAQ)**nn* **Does unplugging devices really save money?** Absolutely. While each device’s savings are small, the combined effect for a typical household is a 5-10% reduction on the annual electricity bill. It’s pure savings for zero inconvenience once you build the habit.n* **Can constantly plugging and unplugging damage my electronics?** For modern devices, no. The wear on a standard outlet from careful plugging is negligible. The small surge upon plugging in is far less damaging than the cumulative effects of minor power fluctuations while on standby.n* **What about smart home devices that need constant power?** This is a trade-off. Devices like smart speakers or security cameras need constant power to function. The key is to be intentional. Do you need every light bulb to be smart? Prioritize which connected devices provide real value and consider putting others on a switched strip for times you don’t need them “listening.”n* **Are newer, energy-efficient appliances better?** Generally, yes. Modern appliances often have stricter standby power regulations. However, a newer device on standby is still using more power than an older device that is truly unplugged. Efficiency doesn’t negate the benefit of switching off.nn**Conclusion: Reclaim Your Power**nnThe journey against phantom energy is a profound metaphor for modern life. It’s about seeing the invisible forces that shape our expenses, our health, and our planet. It’s about moving from passive consumption to intentional living. By taking these simple, almost effortless steps—investing in a few smart power strips, building a quick unplugging habit, and creating a truly restful bedroom—you aren’t just cutting a utility bill. You are making a conscious statement. You are choosing financial awareness over waste, prioritizing deep sleep over digital distraction, and contributing to a healthier planet through daily action. Start tonight. Unplug what you can, and feel the quiet satisfaction of knowing you’ve outsmarted the silent thief. Your wallet, your sleep, and the future will thank you.nn—n**Meta Description:** Discover how phantom energy from standby electronics secretly drains your wallet, disrupts sleep, and harms the planet. Learn simple, effective strategies to reclaim your money and well-being today.nn**SEO Keywords:** phantom energy savings, reduce standby power, lower electricity bill, sleep hygiene tips, home energy efficiencynn**Image Search Keyword:** smart power strip setup for home entertainment center”,”id”:”de26baa1-a496-429e-81de-0c17446b6dc9″,”object”:”chat.completion”,”created”:1772162036,”model”:”deepseek-chat”,”choices”:[{“index”:0,”message”:{“role”:”assistant”,”content”:”**Title: The Silent Thief in Your Home: How This Everyday Habit is Draining Your Wallet and Stealing Your Sleep**nn**Introduction**nnYou know that feeling. It’s late, the house is quiet, and a soft, familiar glow emanates from the corner of your living room. The television murmurs in the background, a companion for your scrolling, a beacon as you drift off. It feels harmless, even comforting. But what if I told you this nightly ritual is a silent thief? It’s not just stealing your electricity; it’s pilfering your hard-earned cash, undermining your health, and leaving a hidden footprint on the planet—all while you sleep. We’re talking about phantom energy, the secret life of your electronics, and the surprisingly costly habit of leaving devices on standby. This isn’t about grand gestures of sacrifice; it’s about uncovering the invisible drains in our modern lives and reclaiming control, one unplugged charger at a time.nn**The Hidden World of Phantom Energy Load**nnPhantom energy, often called vampire power or standby power, is the electricity consumed by electronic devices when they are switched off but still plugged in. Think of it as the device holding its breath, waiting for your command. That little red light on your game console, the blank screen on your microwave displaying the time, the charger with no phone attached—they are all sipping power, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.nnThis isn’t a trivial amount. The International Energy Agency estimates that phantom energy can account for up to 10% of an average household’s electricity bill. In a world of rising energy costs, that percentage translates into hundreds of dollars annually, money that literally vanishes into thin air. Your home is filled with these energy vampires:nn* **Entertainment Centers:** Modern TVs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, and sound systems are the worst offenders. Their “instant-on” features require constant power.n* **Kitchen Appliances:** Microwaves, coffee makers with digital clocks, and smart ovens constantly draw power for their displays and memory functions.n* **Office Equipment:** Printers, desktop computers, monitors, and speakers often have no true “off” switch.n* **Chargers and Adapters:** The humble phone charger or laptop power brick consumes energy whenever it’s plugged into an outlet, whether it’s charging a device or not.nn**Your Wallet’s Silent Drain: The Real Financial Cost**nnLet’s move from the abstract to your actual bank statement. The financial impact of phantom energy is both cumulative and significant. While a single device might only draw 1 to 5 watts on standby, the collective effect across dozens of gadgets in a home is staggering.nnConsider a common household scenario:n* A flat-screen TV and cable box on standby: ~$25-40 per yearn* A desktop computer and monitor left on: ~$30-50 per yearn* Various chargers and small appliances: ~$20-30 per yearnnSuddenly, that’s over $100 annually for absolutely no benefit—money that could fund a nice dinner out, a streaming subscription, or be added to your savings. Over a decade, we’re talking about a thousand dollars or more, quietly transferred from your pocket to the utility company. This is a passive financial leak that, once plugged, puts money back in your control with minimal ongoing effort.nn**Beyond the Bill: The Sleep and Health Connection**nnThe cost isn’t merely financial. The same devices leaching power can also leach your well-being. The ambient glow and low hum of electronics in the bedroom create what sleep scientists call “light pollution” and “noise pollution,” both enemies of deep, restorative sleep.nn* **Blue Light Intrusion:** Even tiny LED lights from a laptop charger, TV standby light, or smart speaker can disrupt your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.n* **Cognitive Association:** A bedroom cluttered with powered electronics subconsciously signals to your brain that it’s a space for activity and stimulation, not rest and recovery.n* **The Anxiety of Always Being “On”:** There’s a psychological weight to being perpetually connected. A bedroom free of phantom energy is a sanctuary, a clear physical boundary between the digital world and the personal space you need to recharge yourself.nnTransforming your bedroom into an electronics-free (or minimally electronic) zone is one of the most effective, zero-cost sleep hygiene upgrades you can make. It’s not just about saving watts; it’s about reclaiming your sleep.nn**The Environmental Ripple Effect You Never See**nnEvery kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed has a creation story. It was generated somewhere, most often by burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. Therefore, the phantom energy in millions of homes worldwide contributes directly to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change.nnScaling this up paints a powerful picture. If just one million households cut their phantom load by a modest amount, the collective reduction in CO2 emissions would be equivalent to taking thousands of cars off the road for a year. Your individual action, when multiplied by millions, is part of the solution. Reducing standby power is a effortless form of environmental stewardship—a simple, daily choice that reduces your carbon footprint without changing your lifestyle.nn**Your Action Plan: Slaying the Energy Vampires**nnConquering phantom energy doesn’t require a degree in electrical engineering. It’s about smart habits and a few simple tools. Here is your practical, step-by-step guide.nn**1. The Audit: Hunt the Phantoms.**nStart with a walkthrough of your home. Look for:n* Any device with a remote control.n* Anything with an external power brick or wall wart.n* Devices with a continuous display (clock, timer, settings).n* Anything that feels warm to the touch when “off.”nn**2. Deploy Your Weapons: Smart Power Strips.**nThis is the single most effective tool. Not all power strips are created equal.n* **Basic Switched Strips:** A simple strip with a master switch lets you turn off a whole entertainment center with one click.n* **Advanced Smart Strips:** These have a “controlled” outlet (for your TV) and “automatic” outlets (for your speakers/game console). When you turn the TV off, the strip cuts power to the peripherals automatically.nn**3. Cultivate New Habits.**n* Make “unplugging” part of your nightly routine, like locking the door.n* Charge devices during the day and unplug the charger when done.n* Use the manual power switch on printers and speakers when not in use for extended periods.nn**4. Prioritize Your Efforts.**nFocus on the big wins first:n* **Home Theater/Entertainment Center**n* **Home Office Setup**n* **Kitchen Counter Clutter** (toaster, coffee maker, microwave)nn**Answering Your Top Questions (Mini FAQ)**nn* **Does unplugging devices really save money?** Absolutely. While each device’s savings are small, the combined effect for a typical household is a 5-10% reduction on the annual electricity bill. It’s pure savings for zero inconvenience once you build the habit.n* **Can constantly plugging and unplugging damage my electronics?** For modern devices, no. The wear on a standard outlet from careful plugging is negligible. The small surge upon plugging in is far less damaging than the cumulative effects of minor power fluctuations while on standby.n* **What about smart home devices that need constant power?** This is a trade-off. Devices like smart speakers or security cameras need constant power to function. The key is to be intentional. Do you need every light bulb to be smart? Prioritize which connected devices provide real value and consider putting others on a switched strip for times you don’t need them “listening.”n* **Are newer, energy-efficient appliances better?** Generally, yes. Modern appliances often have stricter standby power regulations. However, a newer device on standby is still using more power than an older device that is truly unplugged. Efficiency doesn’t negate the benefit of switching off.nn**Conclusion: Reclaim Your Power**nnThe journey against phantom energy is a profound metaphor for modern life. It’s about seeing the invisible forces that shape our expenses, our health, and our planet. It’s about moving from passive consumption to intentional living. By taking these simple, almost effortless steps—investing in a few smart power strips, building a quick unplugging habit, and creating a truly restful bedroom—you aren’t just cutting a utility bill. You are making a conscious statement. You are choosing financial awareness over waste, prioritizing deep sleep over digital distraction, and contributing to a healthier planet through daily action. Start tonight. Unplug what you can, and feel the quiet satisfaction of knowing you’ve outsmarted the silent thief. Your wallet, your sleep, and the future will thank you.nn—n**Meta Description:** Discover how phantom energy from standby electronics secretly drains your wallet, disrupts sleep, and harms the planet. Learn simple, effective strategies to reclaim your money and well-being today.nn**SEO Keywords:** phantom energy savings, reduce standby power, lower electricity bill, sleep hygiene tips, home energy efficiencynn**Image Search Keyword:** smart power strip setup for home entertainment center”},”logprobs”:null,”finish_reason”:”stop”}],”usage”:{“prompt_tokens”:354,”completion_tokens”:1934,”total_tokens”:2288,”prompt_tokens_details”:{“cached_tokens”:320},”prompt_cache_hit_tokens”:320,”prompt_cache_miss_tokens”:34},”system_fingerprint”:”fp_eaab8d114b_prod0820_fp8_kvcache”}1772162036