You might not be aware of this, but many of your electrical appliances cost you electricity even if you don’t use them — even when they are "turned off".

Often these "off" appliances are in "passive mode" (i.e., the clock on your microwave) or in "standby mode" (A VCR waiting to record a show).  And being in those modes uses power.

A good graphic by Good Magazine shows how much this can cost you per year.

The biggest culprit?  Your plasma TV.  Even if you never "turned it on" to watch it for an entire year, it would still run you almost $160 per year in electric bills.

Something to think about if you want to go green….