06 Aug How to save money on power bills: These oddly named vampire hacks could save you serious cash on power bills
How Vampire Devices Are Secretly Draining Your Wallet
These energy-consuming vampire devices, also known as phantom loads or standby power, are the stealthy perpetrators of the high electricity bills, as reported by The Sun. Even when turned off or in standby mode, appliances such as laptops, TVs, microwaves, video game consoles, and chargers use power to keep certain features operational, such as clocks, timers, or digital displays, according to the report.
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Why Summer Makes Energy Bills Worse
With heat during the summer months driving up cooling bills, the typical American electricity bill from June through September will reach a record $784 this year, which is 6.2% more than last year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, reported The Sun.
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How Much Do Vampire Devices Cost You?
The Energy Department estimates that standby power accounts for about 10% of the energy used in a home, or up to $200 annually for some families, as per the report. Nationwide, the annual cost of vampire energy is estimated at $19 billion, found the Natural Resources Defense Council, according to The Sun.
Simple Way to Slash Phantom Power Consumption
The best way to reduce the amount of standby power consumed in the home is to unplug electronics and appliances when they are not in use, as per The Sun report.ALSO READ: Trump’s ultimatum to Taiwan: 15% tariff only if TSMC buys 49% stake in Intel and invests $400 billion in US
Extra Benefits of Unplugging Devices
Scott Harden, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Schneider Electric, pointed out that “Constant standby current can stress electronics over time,” so unplugging idle devices can help to improve the lifespan of them, as reported by The Sun.
In fact, the constant energy draw from standby devices generates around 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, roughly equal to the emissions of 15 million cars, according to the report.
The expert explained that “All electricity drawn from standby consumption contributes to carbon dioxide emissions,” and added that vampire devices are responsible for a notable portion of these emissions due to the constant energy they draw, as per The Sun report.
He said, “By unplugging unnecessary devices, you shrink your carbon footprint,” as quoted in the report.
While, another benefit of unplugging electronic devices is better fire safety and surge protection, according to The Sun. Harden pointed out that, “Though modern chargers are generally safe, leaving them unattended while plugged in slightly increases potential risks from malfunctions or power surges,” as quoted by The Sun.
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FAQs
What exactly is a vampire device?
A vampire device is any electronic that uses power even when turned off or in standby mode.
Which devices are the biggest energy vampires?
TVs, laptops, chargers, video game consoles, microwaves, and coffeemakers are common culprits, as per The Sun report.