Like it or not, there is a vampire raiding every corner of your household and no garlic head can stop this one! The only thing this “vampire” is thirsty for is your electricity and your wallet, too! But fear not, we’ve put together a few tips to help you slay these power-hungry parasites.
What is “Vampire” Power?
Also known as Standby Power, the term refers to the energy consumed by devices and appliances that remain plugged into an outlet when they’re not in use or in when they’re in “power off mode.” That’s right! Your toaster, coffee maker, microwave, TV, computer chargers, cell phone chargers, the list goes on! Take a moment…can you guess how many appliances/gadgets you currently have plugged into your outlets?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2017, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. household customer was 10,399 kWh, that’s an average of 867 kWh per month! What many people don’t know is that unplugging appliances throughout their homes can save them money on their electricity bill. In fact, vampire power constitutes for 5% – 10% of household electricity consumption and is approximately accountable for 1% of global CO2 emissions.
Feeling scared yet? Here are 4 easy and efficient tactics you can take to help you ward off the energy loafers:
1. 👏Unplug👏Unplug👏Unplug
We’re all guilty of it! Grabbing your device right off the charger as soon as you see a fully green battery icon. If you’re no longer using your charger, then unplug it. Same goes for those electric toothbrushes, computer chargers and kitchen appliances.
2. Use power bars
No, we’re not talking about the granola bars. We’re talking about the power strips that prevent electronics from drawing power when your devices are not in use. The best home for these smart bars is right by your entertainment center. You can plug in all your related devices, like your TV, modem or speakers into your power bar. You’ll be able to easily flip the switch to turn them all off at once when they’re not in use.
3. Skip the screensaver
Sure, it’s aesthetically pleasing to have a screensaver on your computer, but your family photos that carousel on your screen will not save energy. If you’re jetting out of the office for lunch or leaving your computer for more than 10 minutes, consider enabling the “power save” mode on your desktop or laptop.
4. Make the switch to Energy Star products when shopping for appliances and electronics
Newer appliances, like washers, dryers and refrigerators are using less energy now than ever before. Ready to upgrade that leaky fridge? Look for one with an Energy Star label. Energy Star appliances help you save money on operating costs by decreasing energy use without losing performance.
So, channel your inner Buffy and take a stab at those energy vampires! Follow these simple tactics to help you reduce your energy usage, save on your electricity costs and help cut harmful CO2 emissions!