Do you see that coffeemaker dripping warm liquid into your morning mug? Or that desktop computer gently buzzing as a low glow shines from its screen? When it comes time to stop using both, a simple press of a button is all it takes to power them down. While most people think that puts an end to the devices until their next use, the truth of the matter is that those electronics could still be draining electricity. This undesirable energy usage has a number of names like the standby power or the phantom load, but more frequently it is referred to as vampire energy.
What most people fail to realize is this energy suck is not as subtle as it seems, as vampire energy accounts for over twenty percent of the energy used in households and costs Americans a total of $19 billion each year. Suddenly that coffeemaker doesn’t seem quite so insignificant. For many of the electronic devices within our houses, energy is constantly being drained as they remain powered off but are left plugged in. Energy suckers include television sets, printers, microwaves, and even garage door openers. Some less obvious energy drainers are the air conditioner, furnace, and electric toothbrushes.
For individual households, the phantom load could be costing hundreds in electricity expenses. Luckily there are ways to stop unnecessary energy usage and put a stake in vampire energy. There are a number of ways to go about doing this, one of which involves the utilization of power strips. By plugging your devices into one energy-supplying hub, you can quickly cut the flow of electricity by hitting one switch. Making a habit of unplugging electronic devices after use will also swiftly eradicate all energy use and eliminate the phantom load. And there are other ways to stop vampire energy too. However, you do it, successfully thwarting vampire energy will save you money.
