Vampire electronics on standby cost households 147 a year? Not so fast.

The BBC today reports that household electronics in standby mode"off" but drawing powercost British households 147 a yearabout $200.

Vampire devices are electronics that drain a surprising amount of power even when they are on standby. British Gas research indicates households in the UK are spending 3.16bn annually just for the privilege of leaving vampire devices on standby.