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Support_SC_PPT16_6a_Vampire-Energy.docx
Power Strips & Vampire Power
“Energy vampires” can run up your energy bill even when you’re not actively using them.
Cell phone charger. As cellphones have become a staple of modern life, so have the devices that power them. These chargers are continually drawing power, even when no device is connected to them. In fact, the average charger is consuming 0.26 watts of energy when not in use, and 2.24 watts even when a fully charged device is connected to it.
Cable box. Even when HD TVs are powered off, these devices consume an average of 17.83 watts. That means that even if you simply left your cable box plugged in for a year and never turned it off, it would add $17.83 to your electrical bill.
The total more than doubles to $43.46.
Tips to save energy:
· Unplug devices you don’t use often. This probably won’t work for your cable box or clock radio, but if you have an extra TV, an old desktop computer, or a stereo you only use from time to time, you should consider unplugging them completely until the next time you need to use them.
The average American household owns 25 consumer electronic devices
· Use power strips. Power strips allow you to toggle the power flow on and off. This will allow you to control the power usage of clusters of devices so that they’re not consuming electricity when you’re not around. Using a light switch that turns power outlets on and off accomplishes the same end, if you have one in your home.
· Curb idle time in devices such as computers and video game consoles. Simply setting your computer to sleep mode or saving a game and powering down instead of leaving it paused for a prolonged period can actually save more than $100 a year in many cases.
· Make smart upgrades. When it comes time to send your old devices to the graveyard, you should also consider replacing them with ENERGY STAR devices. They have a lower standby consumption than your average device and generally use less energy in all their functions— – a savings you should take into account when comparing similar products.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, http://energy.gov/articles/are-energy-vampires-sucking-you-dry
