Category: Conservation
How Vampire Energy Drains Power and How to Stop It
Have you ever looked at your energy bill and wondered where all that electricity usage was coming from? If your energy bill seems higher than it should be, it might be due to vampire energy. But what is vampire energy? Vampire energy refers to the energy used by devices when they are plugged in but not in active use. They may be turned off or in standby mode, but if they’re plugged in, they’re still drawing electricity. This phenomenon is also called standby power, phantom load, vampire power, and other similar names. According to a study from 2015, vampire energy costs the average U.S. household $165 per year, with some households paying up to $440 per year, depending on their utility rates. This totals approximately $19 billion worth of electricity used by vampire energy in the United States. How to Fight Vampire Energy There are three primary strategies for fighting vampire energy. Each of these strategies reduces energy use, saves you money, and benefits the environment. Different devices and situations call for different strategies to be used, so let’s look at each strategy in detail. Unplug Devices when You Aren’t Using Them Unplugging devices when they’re not in use is the simplest way to cut back on vampire energy. Here are a few […]
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