My switches shut the whole outlet off so I always do that...

If I can easily reach the outlet, then yes (i.e. my coffee maker never stays plugged in), but other things that are hidden behind giant and heavy cabinets never get touched.

I said, No, I don't. but then I remembered that my stand mixer and my food processor even though they are out on the kitchen counter all the time, are unplugged when not in use. Honestly, though, that is more for ease of moving them when I need them. My laptop is usually unplugged when not in use but not always. but everything else stays plugged in, so I think my answer still should be No, I don't.

It depends on what it is and how often I use it. Small appliances get unplugged, but my TV and desktop computer stay plugged in because it's too much of a hassle.

All of my kitchen appliances stay unplugged (I have this unfounded fear of limbs being maimed by randomly turned on kitchen appliances).

It would be too difficult to unplug our entertainment appliances.

So is it true or false that something plugged in only uses energy if there are lights/displays on it? For example, does my phone charger use energy when it is plugged in even though it has no LED lights or indicators? Does anyone know?

Not compulsively, but I do try!

donn it is my (limited) understanding that if a plug is in an outlet there is energy going to it. Regardless of any LED lights or whether or not the charger is connected to the phone (for example).

That would be false, donnellyaa. Appliances (really anything that plugs into an outlet) draws power whenever they're plugged in, regardless of whether it's fully charged. But, tech equipment with standby capability (TVs, computer monitors) or things with a display (microwaves) often causes more phantom energy loss. Make sure you buy appliances labeled "Energy Star," which use less standby power.

I don't have the energy to run around my house unplugging everything. Basically everything I use has a random and hidden plug. Plus a lot of my appliances have clocks on them... like my microwave, I refuse to mess up their setting.

I do always.

Yes, always. Stuff that gets plugged in behind a cabinet or something can be plugged into a power strip that's easier to reach. The only thing that's always plugged in is my alarm clock!

Yes.... All of my small apliances are stored away in cabinets when they are not in use.

I always do this.

Yes always! I also have strips on all our entertainment stuff so one easy switch cuts the power off. I save TONS of money on electricity this way.

I don't - or at least only rarely. There's too many appliances with too few outlets that have to be in use constantly around here...and most of the outlets I can't reach without moving heavy furniture. I do actually do this with my computer when it's not charging...everything else is kind of eh.

I started putting in LED lightbulbs though, maybe save some energy that way.

I unplug my kitchen appliances when they're not in use (toaster, coffee maker), but I don't unplug my TV and all that stuff...I would never remember.

Everything but the stuff that can't/shouldn't be unplugged I do unplug or have on a power strip to easily turn off all the way. My fridge, stove/oven, dishwasher(only because I have not idea where it is plugged into) Tivo, modem, and a digital clock are always plugged in. Most other things are not even in outlets or power strips, just the computers and TV. Everything else has to get plugged in to be used and it's become second nature to unplug them. It is rather easy since we are lacking in accessible outlets.

Things with remotes tend to draw a lot of power when "off" because they have to be able to respond to the remote when you press the buttons. Almost everything else that is in an outlet is drawing a tad bit of power, from my understanding.

I keep my desktop, labtop, tv, and dvd player plugged up, but everything else gets unplugged.

Most of the time we switch off the outlets. This is more a safety issue for us.

It does save money...It takes more thought than time and is totally worth it.

Exactly how much electricity is used by a pluged in appliance that is not in use, such as a television and a phone charger. Exactly how much money is "tons saved" from unplugging. I have googled and googled and find a lot of info on what I should do to save info but no one states even an estimate of how much electricity is used and how much money is saved. Thanks for any info!!