Don’t be a Vampire

Have you ever heard of vampire appliances? Think of electrical items in your home that draw a little bit of energy without you even knowing it, without them being “on”… They slowly suck energy away, causing you to lose money in the long run.

Vampire appliances exist in most of our homes. You probably have a TV at home that is just waiting for you to turn it on. Waiting for that signal from the remote control… This is one example of an appliance that is using a little bit of energy all the time, without us really even noticing. Also known as standby power, these appliances can account for as much as 10% of your electricity bill.

Other examples may include your microwave (notice the clock on the display), computers, WiFi printers, and even your garage door opener.

Now, it doesn’t make sense to unplug each of these when not in use (would be hard to park your car!) But completely shutting down our computers when done with them - as opposed to just leaving them in standby or sleep mode - can reduce the amount of electricity that you are leaking. Another option is to make sure that you check the energy draw of any new appliances that you purchase - ones that are Energy Star certified often have very low standby draw.

So, this Halloween, check your house for vampire appliances and make plans to reduce them in your home!