Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel - Your Residential Utility Consumer Advocate
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What's draining your energy? Vampire Power

Vampire PowerEven after household appliances and electronics are turned off, many devices left plugged in continue to use power and increase your electric bill. The power used by devices while not in use is known as standby power, or “vampire power.” According to Energy Star, the average household can spend more than $100 every year on vampire power. Devices using vampire power may cost Americans more than $10 billion annually, according to the UC Berkley’s Office of Sustainability. The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the residential utility advocate provides the following information about vampire power to help consumers save money.

Devices using vampire power

Anything that has a remote control, indicator light or clock (coffee makers, microwaves, TVs) uses vampire energy, which can add up to 5-10 percent to the average home’s electric bill. It can be as much as 20 percent in some homes. Many everyday appliances and remote-ready electronic devices like cable boxes, DVRs, cell phones, and video game consoles continue to use electricity even when they are not being used.

Some vampire power is necessary for functionality and convenience. It enables monitoring of refrigerator temperatures, allows the use of remote controls, and keeps digital clocks, thermostats and programs running.

On average, a home has 20-40 electronic devices using vampire power and the combined usage can be surprising. Experts indicate that in the future consumers may use more vampire power as more devices are created with microchips and are connected to the internet.

Control or eliminate vampire power

Consult owners’ manuals and product specifications for details about how much vampire power, sometimes called “minimum power,” is used and if it is appropriate to unplug the device. (Be aware that unplugging a device could erase personal settings or programmed data.) You can also take these steps to use less power:

  • Only connect devices to chargers while they are charging. Many devices have a light or indicator that shows when batteries are fully charged. For example, a red light may change to green;
  • Do not leave chargers plugged into an outlet when a device is fully charged;
  • Shut down computers instead of logging off. Turn off monitors and other external devices (like printers) instead of leaving them in sleep mode; and
  • Unplug devices that are rarely used or when away from home for several days.

Power strips can be used to plug multiple devices into one wall outlet. Surge protectors serve the same purpose and protect devices from electrical surges. Regular power strips and surge protectors do not reduce vampire power unless their power switch is turned off. Turning off the main switch on the strip shuts down everything plugged into its outlets. Remember that personal settings or programmed data may be erased.

Depending on the surge protector and its joule rating, it may or may not protect devices when its power switch is off. Generally, the higher the joule rating, the greater the protection. The best way to protect against a power surge is to unplug everything from the electrical outlet.

There are also “smart” power strips, or advanced power strips, that automatically shut down devices in standby mode. There are three types of advanced power strips:

  • Timer-equipped—turns on or off at a designated time.
  • Occupancy sensing—controlled by a motion detector.
  • Current sensing—automatically turns outlets off or on when it detects a device either enters a low-powered sleep mode, is turned off, or is turned on.

In combination with monitor power management features, these power strips can automatically turn on and off almost any electronic device. Many smart strips also have one or two ” always-on” outlets to plug in devices that always need power, like cordless phone bases, Wi-Fi, or alarm systems. Advanced power strips are typically more expensive than other power strips or surge protectors.

Is there an energy vampire in your home? (45 sec. video)

Measure vampire power

Devices vary in vampire power usage. Consumers may wonder how much they can really save by using the tips above. Kilowatt meters can be purchased to measure the power used by a device in use and in standby mode. Some public libraries, OSU Extension offices and electric cooperatives may have kilowatt meters available to use.

To calculate electricity usage, plug the meter into a wall outlet and plug the device into the meter.  It can be a great tool for learning about a household’s specific power consumption and may help with deciding what to unplug to save money.

Consider energy efficiency

When shopping for new electronic devices and appliances, keep energy efficiency in mind. Devices with the Energy Star logo are more energy efficient. Go to www.energystar.gov for complete list of qualified devices. Ratings change. Energy efficiency is typically greater in newer items. Consumers should also look for the yellow and black EnergyGuide label to determine a product’s energy consumption when making buying decisions. 
 

 

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