diff --git a/custom_components/localthings/entity.py b/custom_components/localthings/entity.py
index e8c0b9b..b15d166 100644
--- a/custom_components/localthings/entity.py
+++ b/custom_components/localthings/entity.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from homeassistant.helpers.device_registry import DeviceInfo
 from homeassistant.const import EntityCategory
 
 from .registry.adapter import _key
+from .registry.batch import is_stub_rep
 from .registry.discovery import BoundEntity, _snake_to_title
 
 from .const import DOMAIN
@@ -21,9 +22,12 @@ def _is_included(bound: BoundEntity, coordinator: 'LocalThingsCoordinator') -> b
     require that field to be present in the resource rep so that optional
     fields on shared resources don't create phantom entities.
 
-    An empty rep ({}) means /device/0 returned a stub for this resource —
-    the resource exists on the device but data hasn't been fetched yet.
-    In that case we include the entity so it can be populated by sub-polls.
+    A stub rep (is_stub_rep — /device/0's "resource exists, no data fetched
+    yet" marker) is included anyway so it can be populated by sub-polls. A
+    genuinely empty {} rep is the device's confirmed (if empty) answer, not
+    a stub, and gates the entity off like any other missing field — else a
+    resource this model never populates would spawn a phantom always-
+    "unknown" entity every session (issue #127).
     """
     rep = coordinator.last_resources.get(bound.href)
     if rep is None:
@@ -31,7 +35,7 @@ def _is_included(bound: BoundEntity, coordinator: 'LocalThingsCoordinator') -> b
     if bound.desc.exists_fn is not None:
         return bound.desc.exists_fn(rep, coordinator.last_resources)
     if bound.desc.field:
-        if not rep:  # stub — resource known to exist, data not yet fetched
+        if is_stub_rep(rep):
             return True
         return bound.desc.field in rep
     return True  # rep_fn or no-field entities (ButtonDesc) are always included
diff --git a/custom_components/localthings/registry/batch.py b/custom_components/localthings/registry/batch.py
index 6a90c2e..c7fb3ad 100644
--- a/custom_components/localthings/registry/batch.py
+++ b/custom_components/localthings/registry/batch.py
@@ -2,8 +2,25 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 
+def is_stub_rep(rep: dict) -> bool:
+    """True for the device's "resource exists, no data fetched yet" marker --
+    an echoed {"href": "..."} with no other fields.
+
+    Distinct from a genuinely empty {} rep, which is the device's confirmed
+    (if empty) answer -- e.g. an unsupported resource on this model that will
+    never populate. Conflating the two used to make every field-gated entity
+    on a permanently-empty resource look like a not-yet-fetched stub forever,
+    creating phantom always-"unknown" entities (issue #127)."""
+    return isinstance(rep, dict) and set(rep.keys()) == {'href'}
+
+
 def parse_device0_batch(device0: list) -> dict[str, dict]:
-    """Extract {href: rep} from a /device/0 CBOR list response."""
+    """Extract {href: rep} from a /device/0 CBOR list response.
+
+    A stub rep is passed through unchanged rather than collapsed to {} --
+    downstream code (entity._is_included, capability exists_fns) uses
+    is_stub_rep to tell "not fetched yet" apart from a confirmed-empty {}.
+    """
     out = {}
     for entry in device0[1:]:   # skip [0] (device-level rep)
         if not isinstance(entry, dict):
@@ -12,8 +29,6 @@ def parse_device0_batch(device0: list) -> dict[str, dict]:
         rep  = entry.get('rep')
         if not href:
             continue
-        # rep == {"href": "..."} is a stub (resource present, no current data).
-        # Include it as {} so capabilities still bind and the entity exists.
         if isinstance(rep, dict):
-            out[href] = {} if set(rep.keys()) == {'href'} else rep
+            out[href] = rep
     return out
diff --git a/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/common.py b/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/common.py
index cd03a91..775a318 100644
--- a/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/common.py
+++ b/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/common.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ against live device dumps:
 """
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
+from ..batch import is_stub_rep
 from ..capability import Capability
 from ..entities import (
     BinarySensorDesc, ButtonDesc, SelectDesc, SensorDesc, SwitchDesc,
@@ -380,32 +381,35 @@ _DEAD_INSTANTANEOUS_POWER = '-500'
 ENERGY_METER = Capability(
     href='/energy/consumption/vs/0',
     entities=(
-        # `not rep` keeps the empty-{} stub carve-out (see entity._is_included):
+        # `is_stub_rep(rep)` keeps the stub carve-out (see entity._is_included):
         # an explicit exists_fn otherwise bypasses it, which would drop the
-        # entity when /device/0 returns a not-yet-fetched stub. On a populated
-        # rep, hide power only for the dead sentinel or an absent field.
+        # entity when /device/0 returns a not-yet-fetched stub. A genuinely
+        # empty {} rep is NOT a stub -- it's the device's confirmed (if empty)
+        # answer, so it falls through to the normal field/sentinel checks like
+        # any populated rep. On a populated rep, hide power only for the dead
+        # sentinel or an absent field.
         SensorDesc(key='power_watts', field='x.com.samsung.da.instantaneousPower',
                    device_class='power', state_class='measurement',
                    unit='W', value_fn=clamp_power,
-                   exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: not rep or (
+                   exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: is_stub_rep(rep) or (
                        rep.get('x.com.samsung.da.instantaneousPower')
                        not in (None, _DEAD_INSTANTANEOUS_POWER))),
         SensorDesc(key='energy_kwh', field='x.com.samsung.da.cumulativePower',
                    device_class='energy',
                    state_class='total_increasing', unit='kWh', value_fn=wh_to_kwh,
                    exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: (
-                       not rep or 'x.com.samsung.da.cumulativePower' in rep)),
+                       is_stub_rep(rep) or 'x.com.samsung.da.cumulativePower' in rep)),
         # cumulativeConsumption is a second, independently-varying running
         # total alongside cumulativePower -- some fridges (issue #26) report
-        # both. Self-gates off where only cumulativePower is present. `not
-        # rep or` keeps the same empty-{} stub carve-out as power_watts/
+        # both. Self-gates off where only cumulativePower is present. The
+        # `is_stub_rep(rep) or` keeps the same stub carve-out as power_watts/
         # energy_kwh above -- without it, an exists_fn permanently drops the
         # entity if setup happens to land on a not-yet-fetched stub.
         SensorDesc(key='power_energy_kwh', field='x.com.samsung.da.cumulativeConsumption',
                    device_class='energy',
                    state_class='total_increasing', unit='kWh', value_fn=wh_to_kwh,
                    exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: (
-                       not rep or 'x.com.samsung.da.cumulativeConsumption' in rep)),
+                       is_stub_rep(rep) or 'x.com.samsung.da.cumulativeConsumption' in rep)),
         # AI Energy Mode's lifetime savings estimate vs. an unoptimized
         # baseline -- present on some models (e.g. TP1X_REF_21K, issue #21/
         # #27) and absent on others (issue #20/#26), unlike cumulativePower.
@@ -413,7 +417,7 @@ ENERGY_METER = Capability(
                    device_class='energy',
                    state_class='total_increasing', unit='kWh', value_fn=wh_to_kwh,
                    exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: (
-                       not rep or 'x.com.samsung.da.cumulativeSavedPower' in rep)),
+                       is_stub_rep(rep) or 'x.com.samsung.da.cumulativeSavedPower' in rep)),
         # Monthly billing-cycle totals -- the completed prior month and the
         # in-progress current month. Not ever-increasing (each resets at
         # month boundary), so no state_class.
@@ -421,12 +425,12 @@ ENERGY_METER = Capability(
                    device_class='energy',
                    unit='kWh', value_fn=wh_to_kwh,
                    exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: (
-                       not rep or 'x.com.samsung.da.monthlyConsumption' in rep)),
+                       is_stub_rep(rep) or 'x.com.samsung.da.monthlyConsumption' in rep)),
         SensorDesc(key='energy_this_month_kwh', field='x.com.samsung.da.thismonthlyConsumption',
                    device_class='energy',
                    unit='kWh', value_fn=wh_to_kwh,
                    exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: (
-                       not rep or 'x.com.samsung.da.thismonthlyConsumption' in rep)),
+                       is_stub_rep(rep) or 'x.com.samsung.da.thismonthlyConsumption' in rep)),
     ),
 )
 
@@ -562,7 +566,7 @@ SELF_CHECK = Capability(
                    icon='mdi:alert-circle-outline',
                    entity_category='diagnostic',
                    exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: (
-                       not rep or 'x.com.samsung.da.error' in rep),
+                       is_stub_rep(rep) or 'x.com.samsung.da.error' in rep),
                    value_fn=lambda v: (', '.join(v) if v else None) if isinstance(v, list) else v),
         ButtonDesc(key='selfcheck_start', field='', payload='Start',
                    icon='mdi:play-circle-outline',
diff --git a/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/cooktop.py b/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/cooktop.py
index b76138f..96f1cfd 100644
--- a/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/cooktop.py
+++ b/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/cooktop.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ cooktop must not be remotely ignited by an automation.
 
 import re
 
+from ..batch import is_stub_rep
 from ..capability import Capability
 from ..entities import BinarySensorDesc, SensorDesc
 
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ COOKTOP_MODE = Capability(
                     options, f'OperationState{slot}'
                 ),
                 exists_fn=lambda rep, resources, slot=slot: (
-                    not rep or _option_value(
+                    is_stub_rep(rep) or _option_value(
                         rep.get('x.com.samsung.da.options'),
                         f'OperationState{slot}',
                     ) is not None
diff --git a/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/range_hood.py b/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/range_hood.py
index f3b4eca..58e262b 100644
--- a/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/range_hood.py
+++ b/custom_components/localthings/registry/capabilities/range_hood.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ independent fields.
 
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
+from ..batch import is_stub_rep
 from ..capability import Capability
 from ..entities import (
     BinarySensorDesc,
@@ -103,7 +104,7 @@ HOOD_FAN = Capability(
             # #137) -- this board has no auto-ventilation mode, unlike the
             # standalone range hood this capability was written for.
             exists_fn=lambda rep, resources: (
-                not rep or 'x.com.samsung.da.hood.autoOperation' in rep),
+                is_stub_rep(rep) or 'x.com.samsung.da.hood.autoOperation' in rep),
             value_fn=lambda value: str(value).lower() == 'on',
         ),
     ),
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden/air_purifier.json b/tests/fixtures/golden/air_purifier.json
index 7e049c5..05e3410 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden/air_purifier.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden/air_purifier.json
@@ -7,18 +7,12 @@
     "diagnosis_status",
     "display_light",
     "dust",
-    "energy_kwh",
-    "energy_last_month_kwh",
-    "energy_saved_kwh",
-    "energy_this_month_kwh",
     "fan_direction",
     "filter_progress",
     "fine_dust",
     "odor",
     "operating_mode",
-    "power_energy_kwh",
     "power_switch",
-    "power_watts",
     "super_fine_dust"
   ]
 }
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden/refrigerator_artik051_dongle_ref.json b/tests/fixtures/golden/refrigerator_artik051_dongle_ref.json
index 6174968..6c50fe9 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden/refrigerator_artik051_dongle_ref.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden/refrigerator_artik051_dongle_ref.json
@@ -5,16 +5,10 @@
     "defrost_delay",
     "diagnosis_status",
     "door_onedoorfreezer_open",
-    "energy_kwh",
-    "energy_last_month_kwh",
-    "energy_saved_kwh",
-    "energy_this_month_kwh",
     "firmware_update",
     "freezer_setpoint",
     "freezer_temperature",
     "ice_maker_enabled",
-    "power_energy_kwh",
-    "power_watts",
     "rapid_freezing",
     "rapid_fridge",
     "sabbath_mode"
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/golden/refrigerator_artik051_dongle_ref_cooler.json b/tests/fixtures/golden/refrigerator_artik051_dongle_ref_cooler.json
index 984569c..44d2d96 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/golden/refrigerator_artik051_dongle_ref_cooler.json
+++ b/tests/fixtures/golden/refrigerator_artik051_dongle_ref_cooler.json
@@ -8,14 +8,8 @@
     "diagnosis_status",
     "door_cooler_open",
     "door_onedoorfreezer_open",
-    "energy_kwh",
-    "energy_last_month_kwh",
-    "energy_saved_kwh",
-    "energy_this_month_kwh",
     "firmware_update",
     "ice_maker_enabled",
-    "power_energy_kwh",
-    "power_watts",
     "rapid_freezing",
     "rapid_fridge",
     "sabbath_mode"
diff --git a/tests/test_batch.py b/tests/test_batch.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d707662
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_batch.py
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+"""Tests for registry.batch — the /device/0 sweep parser and its stub marker.
+
+issue #127: a device whose /energy/consumption/vs/0 is permanently
+unsupported reports a genuinely empty {} rep for it. The previous parser
+collapsed /device/0's own {"href": "..."} "not fetched yet" marker to that
+same {} shape, so downstream exists_fn checks couldn't tell "confirmed
+empty" apart from "haven't polled it yet" and created phantom always-
+"unknown" entities either way. is_stub_rep/parse_device0_batch now keep the
+two shapes distinct.
+"""
+from custom_components.localthings.registry.batch import is_stub_rep, parse_device0_batch
+
+
+class TestIsStubRep:
+    def test_true_for_bare_href_marker(self):
+        assert is_stub_rep({'href': '/energy/consumption/vs/0'}) is True
+
+    def test_false_for_genuinely_empty_rep(self):
+        assert is_stub_rep({}) is False
+
+    def test_false_for_populated_rep(self):
+        assert is_stub_rep({'x.com.samsung.da.cumulativePower': '58900'}) is False
+
+    def test_false_for_href_plus_data(self):
+        """A real, populated rep may legitimately echo 'href' alongside
+        actual fields -- only a rep with *no other keys* is the stub."""
+        assert is_stub_rep({'href': '/x/0', 'value': True}) is False
+
+
+class TestParseDevice0Batch:
+    def test_stub_rep_kept_distinct_from_genuine_empty(self):
+        device0 = [
+            {},
+            {'href': '/energy/consumption/vs/0', 'rep': {'href': '/energy/consumption/vs/0'}},
+            {'href': '/sabbath/vs/0', 'rep': {}},
+        ]
+        resources = parse_device0_batch(device0)
+        assert is_stub_rep(resources['/energy/consumption/vs/0']) is True
+        assert is_stub_rep(resources['/sabbath/vs/0']) is False
+        assert resources['/sabbath/vs/0'] == {}
+
+    def test_populated_rep_passes_through_unchanged(self):
+        device0 = [
+            {},
+            {'href': '/door/cooler/0', 'rep': {'openState': 'Close'}},
+        ]
+        resources = parse_device0_batch(device0)
+        assert resources['/door/cooler/0'] == {'openState': 'Close'}
+
+    def test_skips_entries_without_href(self):
+        device0 = [{}, {'rep': {'a': 1}}]
+        assert parse_device0_batch(device0) == {}
+
+    def test_skips_non_dict_rep(self):
+        device0 = [{}, {'href': '/x/0', 'rep': 'not-a-dict'}]
+        assert parse_device0_batch(device0) == {}
diff --git a/tests/test_common_capabilities.py b/tests/test_common_capabilities.py
index 8f7bcad..5a834a1 100644
--- a/tests/test_common_capabilities.py
+++ b/tests/test_common_capabilities.py
@@ -253,13 +253,24 @@ class TestEnergyMeter:
         kwh = next(e for e in common.ENERGY_METER.entities if e.key == 'energy_kwh')
         assert kwh.exists_fn({'x.com.samsung.da.cumulativePower': '58900'}, {}) is True
 
-    def test_both_entities_included_on_empty_stub(self):
-        """An empty {} rep means the resource exists but data isn't fetched yet
-        (see entity._is_included) -- include both so sub-polls populate them."""
+    def test_both_entities_included_on_true_stub(self):
+        """A true stub -- /device/0's {"href": "..."} "not fetched yet"
+        marker (see registry.batch.is_stub_rep) -- means the resource exists
+        but data isn't fetched yet; include both so sub-polls populate them."""
         pw = next(e for e in common.ENERGY_METER.entities if e.key == 'power_watts')
         kwh = next(e for e in common.ENERGY_METER.entities if e.key == 'energy_kwh')
-        assert pw.exists_fn({}, {}) is True
-        assert kwh.exists_fn({}, {}) is True
+        stub = {'href': '/energy/consumption/vs/0'}
+        assert pw.exists_fn(stub, {}) is True
+        assert kwh.exists_fn(stub, {}) is True
+
+    def test_both_entities_hidden_on_genuinely_empty_rep(self):
+        """A real {} rep (no 'href' key) is the device's confirmed -- if
+        empty -- answer, not a stub, so a model that never populates this
+        resource doesn't get a phantom always-"unknown" entity (issue #127)."""
+        pw = next(e for e in common.ENERGY_METER.entities if e.key == 'power_watts')
+        kwh = next(e for e in common.ENERGY_METER.entities if e.key == 'energy_kwh')
+        assert pw.exists_fn({}, {}) is False
+        assert kwh.exists_fn({}, {}) is False
 
     def test_power_watts_hidden_when_field_absent_in_populated_rep(self):
         """A populated rep that lacks instantaneousPower must not spawn a
@@ -416,11 +427,17 @@ class TestSelfCheckError:
         desc = self._desc()
         assert desc.exists_fn({'x.com.samsung.da.status': 'Ready'}, {}) is False
 
-    def test_exists_for_empty_stub_rep(self):
-        """An empty {} rep is /device/0's not-yet-fetched-stub carve-out --
-        must be included-for-now, same as ENERGY_METER's fields."""
+    def test_exists_for_true_stub_rep(self):
+        """A true stub ({"href": "..."}) is /device/0's not-yet-fetched
+        marker -- must be included-for-now, same as ENERGY_METER's fields."""
         desc = self._desc()
-        assert desc.exists_fn({}, {}) is True
+        assert desc.exists_fn({'href': '/selfcheck/vs/0'}, {}) is True
+
+    def test_hidden_for_genuinely_empty_rep(self):
+        """A real {} rep is the device's confirmed empty answer, not a stub --
+        must NOT be force-included (issue #127's phantom-entity pattern)."""
+        desc = self._desc()
+        assert desc.exists_fn({}, {}) is False
 
     def test_value_joins_list(self):
         desc = self._desc()