Vampires are not only to be found in the plethora of young adult novels and TV shows these days. They’re right in your very own home, and you invited them in. All the garlic in the world won’t get rid of these power-sucking villains. These new age thieves come in the form of the many electronics and charger cables that populate our living spaces. They don’t drink your blood, but they can drain your bank account if you’re not watchful.
Reports show that energy vampires cost Americans $19 billion per year in wasted energy, about $165 per household. These additional power needs put a strain on power plants and increase emissions. Cable boxes are one of the biggest offenders because they are always running, even when the TV is off. Video game consoles are another culprit thanks to updates that require constant internet connections. Even your cell phone and computer chargers are sucking electricity when not powering your device.
The problem is growing. More and more once purely mechanical appliances are now digital. Dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers have electronic controls that mean they’re drawing power when they’re not running. Even refrigerators have internet connections these days. The more power needed to operate these items, the more money pouring from your pocketbook.
Since you can’t douse your devices with holy water, what can you do to cut down on this waste? Unplug charger cables when not in use. Turn computers off rather than leave them in sleep mode, especially overnight. Shut down the X-Box when playtime is over.
Another way to reduce your usage, and your monthly bill, is to use smart power strips. These work just like the regular power strips you are probably already using, but with one big difference. They can detect a drop in consumption as a device, like your computer, goes into standby mode. The smart strip then cuts the power to that outlet while the other outlets that are being actively used stay on. Most smart strips come with “always on” plugs for devices that need to stay powered (like a cordless phone), as well as plugs that will shut off automatically. Save money and reduce your carbon footprint by putting a stake right through the heart of these energy sappers!
