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Getting rid of vampire electricity is an effective way to save on your energy bill. Vampire electricity is “standby” energy used by many electronic devices and appliances that are still on, even when they appear to be turned off, as long as they’re plugged into an outlet. While these items may not seem expensive to keep plugged in, collectively, their cost adds up! You can start saving with a few easy steps: •
Unplug devices when not in use.
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Use power strips to unplug several items at once with the flip of a switch. Set strips to sleep mode after a few minutes of inactivity.
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Turn off screen savers on desktop computers. For laptops, disable screen saver mode.
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Smart plugs that work with a mobile app help you schedule appliances, and other items, to turn off and on automatically, which can help reduce energy usage.
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Consider disabling the “quick start” mode on your TV.
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When replacing appliances, look for new energy-efficient models with the Energy Star label.
For the average homeowner, vampire electronics can add 20% to monthly electric bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Fortunately, you can rid your home of vampire electricity by noticing how your home uses energy and taking simple steps to address it.
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