If your energy bills keep creeping up or you're aiming to minimize your home's electricity usage, it might be time to investigate energy vampires lurking in your household. Unlike the mythical kind, these energy vampires are appliances and gadgets that consume electricity even when they're turned off but remain plugged in.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that these power-hungry devices could be costing you up to $200 annually in wasted energy. Let's explore what vampire energy is, which electronics use the most, and how you can curb these hidden expenses.
What Is Vampire Energy?
Vampire energy, also called standby power or phantom energy, refers to the electricity that devices use while plugged in but not actively in use. Common offenders include electronics with built-in clocks or digital displays, but other appliances can be guilty too.
Even when not in operation, many devices draw power via adapters that convert AC to DC power. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates this standby power adds up to $165 per household or $19 billion nationwide each year. These energy vampires aren’t just a drain on our wallets — globally, they contribute to 1% of carbon emissions, equating to 44 million metric tons of CO2 annually in the U.S.
Why Does Vampire Energy Occur?
You might wonder why vampire energy remains an issue despite advancements in technology and awareness of its impact. Unfortunately, while new tech has made it easier to reduce phantom energy use, completely eliminating it remains a challenge. Some common reasons energy vampires persist in your home include:
- Continuous displays: Devices with always-on screens, like TVs, ovens, and thermostats, consume power even when not in use.
- Internal clocks: Appliances like coffee makers need clocks to schedule operations, which requires continuous energy.
- Temperature monitoring: Appliances such as refrigerators or thermostats constantly monitor temperature, consuming power in the process.
- Signal receivers: Many devices, like TVs and game consoles, remain in standby mode to receive signals from remotes, drawing phantom energy.
- Light sensors: Devices like automatic nightlights sense light changes and remain on standby, drawing power continuously.
How to Combat Vampire Energy
Though you can’t eliminate phantom power entirely, there are practical ways to reduce it. Some appliances, such as your refrigerator, need to stay on, but for other devices, there are strategies to cut down on unnecessary energy consumption.
The Worst Energy Vampires in Your Home
Knowing which devices are the biggest energy hogs can help you target areas for improvement. While actual energy usage varies depending on factors like age, efficiency, and how often you use a device, here are some of the top energy vampires:
- Televisions: Smart TVs with features like Wi-Fi and satellite connectivity are major culprits, drawing power even when turned off.
- Computers: Laptops and tablets use less power than TVs, but chargers still draw energy even after the device is fully charged. Unplugging chargers can prevent this.
- Refrigerators: Fridges need to stay on constantly, so your best bet is to invest in an energy-efficient model to reduce consumption.
- Thermostats: Smart thermostats, AC units, and water heaters consume considerable energy, but proper programming can help cut down unnecessary usage.
- Small appliances: Kitchen gadgets like microwaves and coffee makers may not seem like big offenders, but when added together, their energy use can add up, especially those with digital displays.
Which Devices Don’t Drain Phantom Power?
Not all electronics are energy vampires. Simple items like lamps without smart features only use power when switched on. Old-school appliances without digital displays, like manual toasters, are also less likely to drain power when not in use.
Reducing Phantom Energy in Your Home
To minimize the effect of energy vampires, here are a few simple steps you can take:
- Unplug devices when not in use: The simplest way to cut phantom power is to disconnect devices from the outlet entirely. While it may be impractical to unplug everything, focus on items you use less frequently, such as blenders or electric razors.
- Use smart power strips: Smart power strips can help you easily manage multiple devices by shutting off power to several items at once. Some models even have timers or remote control features to automate the process.
- Get a home energy audit: A professional energy audit, though it will come with a cost, can help you identify inefficient devices and offer strategies to save energy and reduce your electricity bill. If a professional audit isn’t an option, you can use a plug-in energy meter to measure your devices’ consumption yourself.
- Choose appliances without always-on displays: Minimize vampire energy by selecting gadgets that lack unnecessary digital displays or LED indicators, which are often telltale signs of standby power.
- Maintain your devices: Keeping your electronics in good working order can reduce power usage. For larger items like refrigerators or air conditioners, look for models with a high Energy Star rating.
By being proactive, you can minimize the impact of energy vampires on both your electricity bill and the environment.