It’s not a myth: vampires are very real and they’re working hard to drain your home of its life force. Energy vampires are the insidious appliances and electronics that are found in most people’s homes. They’re considered vampires because they use up a significant amount of energy even when they’re turned off or in standby mode.
They may not don a black cloak and sharp fangs, but energy vampires still pack a big bite. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the average household wastes about $100 annually on such drainers. While you may not be Buffy, you can still slay the vampires that are sucking the life out of your home. Learn how to identify energy vampires and how to put a stake in them today.
Identifying Energy Vampires
There are some general characteristics that make an appliance or electronic an energy vampire, such as remote controls, external power supplies, battery chargers or devices with continuous light displays (ie alarm clocks).
The most popular energy vampires include computers and related equipment, televisions, satellite or cable TV boxes, devices with continuously-running clocks and surround sound systems.
How to Slay the Vampires
- Use power strips so you’re able to turn off all of the electronics and/or appliances connected to it at once. You can use one power strip for entertainment-related equipment (TVs, DVD players, gaming consoles, etc.) and another one for your computer and its related equipment (printers, routers, modems, etc.).
- Shut down your computer and its related equipment when you’re not using them.
- Turn off electronics and appliances when they’re not being used, especially cell phone chargers and the like.
- When shopping for new electronics or appliances, look for those that have earned the Energy Star label, as they’ll consume the least amount of energy when they go into standby mode anytime.
If you live in Vernon or the surrounding area and need an HVAC contractor to help you stop the energy vampires in your home, please contact James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co.
