system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Electricity.

My mother always unplugs appliances that aren’t being used bc they “waste electricity”; does this still ring true today, or are appliances updated & don’t waste as much? Obviously, the fridge, hot water heater and washer & dryer use the most power; how can I see which other things use the most power & is it worth it to still unplug them?
gpt
Depends on the appliance. 

* Lighting: No, the switch completely disconnects it. A lamp does not need to be unplugged. 

* Motor devices: No, the switch completely disconnects it. Example, vacuum, blender. 

* Heating device: No, the switch completely disconnects it. Example, kettle, hair dryer. 

* Electronics: Yes, they have a power supply that produces the low voltage DC power they run on. Even if they use nothing, this power supply is still making DC power and consuming some electricity. Beyond this, they still often have varying degrees of rest modes rather than off. Your TV is waiting and watching for a TV remote signal for example. Example, TV, computer, phone charger, video game console. 

* Mixed devices, with any sort of electronic controls: Yes, these devices are a small computer paired with something else. The main part turns fully off by the computer, but the computer is still running. Example, an oven with its clock. A washing machine ready for you to hit a button. Etc. 


How much do these electronic devices draw? We're talking maybe up to $5 a year of electricity for a device, but you do have a lot of them. If you use the device daily, it might not be worth it. If you don't use the device for 16 months, might want to consider unplugging it.