Devices such as chargers, computers and DVD players that continue to use electricity when they are turned off are referred to as "energy vampires." Sometimes, having a device that's not in use continuing to draw power from an outlet makes sense, such as when you need to set a timer, but often the energy is simply wasted. Beating the energy vampires is a key factor in reducing your power usage and lowering your electric bill. To combat these energy-sucking devices and keep your monthly bills under control, try these simple steps:
- Power strips – Instead of plugging each device into a wall outlet, plug several devices into a "smart" power strip. The strip prevents the devices from drawing energy from the electrical circuit when they're not in use.
- Unplug the bricks – Some device cords, such as for laptops, have a large rectangular box, or "brick," in the middle. A brick draws energy from an outlet as long as the cord is plugged in. Always remove these types of cords from a wall outlet when you're not using the device.
- Chargers – Make sure your cell phone charger, and other battery chargers, are unplugged when the battery is not being recharged. Chargers draw power from an outlet regardless of whether the device is being charged.
- Energy Star – The U.S. government's Energy Star program awards a certification label to products that use energy efficiently. An Energy Star-certified computer, for example, will drain less power from an outlet when not in use than other models.
Beating the energy vampires prevents your home's electrical system from wasting power and still gives you all the power you need to run your electronic devices effectively. For more information about saving energy and other issues related to home comfort, contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. We have been serving the Fort Wayne area since 1963.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy vampires and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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