This spooky season is the perfect moment to inspect your home for energy vampires. Don’t worry, we are not talking about the blood-sucking, mythological ones. We’re talking about those devices that consume power when they’re plugged in — even when they are not in use — and might be costing you up to $200 annually in avoidable energy expenses.
Let’s look at how to spot energy vampires, which use the most electricity, and how to prevent them from draining your bank account.
How can you spot an energy vampire?
Energy vampires go by many names, such as phantom energy or standby power. But they’re easy to spot once you know what to look for. An energy vampire is a device that uses electricity when turned off but is still plugged into a power outlet. The usual suspects are electronics and “smart” devices. But other appliances can be energy vampires too.
You know you’ve spotted an energy vampire if…
- The device has continuous displays. Does your oven, microwave, TV, or thermostat have a screen that stays on? If so, it’s using power even when you’re not using it.
- The device has an internal clock. Even without a visible display, some appliances have a clock inside. For instance, your coffee maker needs a clock to turn on at the right time.
- The device monitors temperature. Some appliances, like thermostats or refrigerators, need to constantly check the temperature to work properly.
- The device receives a signal. Even when your TV is “off,” it can still receive signals from your remote. This is also true for electronics like gaming consoles and Bluetooth speakers.
- The device is activated by light or motion. Devices that respond to light, such as automatic night lights, can also use power when not actively in use.
Which appliances and devices are energy vampires?
Now that we know how to spot an energy vampire, here are some common energy-consuming appliances and devices:
- Cable/satellite boxes. These often remain on standby and use power continuously.
- Chargers. Phone, tablet, and other chargers can draw power even when not connected to a device.
- Coffee makers. They can consume energy for clocks and timers even when not brewing.
- Gaming consoles. These can draw power even when in standby mode.
- Home audio systems. These also draw power when left in standby mode.
- Microwaves. Often left plugged in, they consume energy for their clocks and displays.
- Printers. Many printers remain in standby mode and consume energy when not actively printing.
And here are the ones that use the most electricity:
- Computers. Charging devices for computers continue to convert energy even when the battery is fully charged or the device is not in use.
- Refrigerators. The kitchen uses a lot of electricity in general. Refrigerators are significant energy vampires, but, unfortunately, unplugging them isn’t a viable option. Focus on making them more efficient!
- Televisions. Modern “smart” TVs top the list with their resource-demanding features like satellite TV, Wi-Fi connectivity, DVR capabilities, and more.
How can you stop an energy vampire?
Unfortunately, we can’t entirely get rid of energy vampires. But we can limit their impact. Unplugging every single appliance every time you leave the room might be impractical, but choosing energy-efficient devices and following practical energy conservation tips can significantly reduce electricity usage.
Here are some ways you can reduce the impact of energy vampires on your electricity bill:
- Do a home energy audit. A professional auditor can help you assess your energy use and make recommendations.
- Unplug appliances when not in use. Disconnecting them from the power source is the most effective way to reduce vampire energy.
- Upgrade to more energy efficient appliances. If you have the funds and option to do so, you can find models that use far less electricity than others, which will impact your bills.
- Use a power strip. Plug your devices into an easily accessible strip, and turn it off when you’re not using those devices. One switch for multiple devices is always more efficient.
- Use a smart power strip. These devices can sense activity and turn off automatically.
Remember, we’re here to support our residential customers in their journey to be more energy efficient. Together, we can slay these energy vampires and make a significant difference to our energy budget and the environment!
Check out our website for more energy efficiency tips and consider speaking with an energy advisor to learn more about how you can lighten your load and save energy and money at home.