Watch out for "energy vampires" in your home
Unsuspecting Valley residents, beware. "Vampire" appliances are using electricity even when they are turned off.
Fortunately, it's easy to spot the energy suckers: they're the ones that need to be reset or reprogrammed anytime the power goes off. Power used by the clocks or memory chips that keep these appliances correctly programmed are culprits, as are "instant-on" TVs, which come to life without the need to warm up.
It all adds up
Although each clock or chip uses only a little energy, the constant consumption 24 hours a day, seven days a week, adds up. To get an idea of how many vampires are lurking in your home, take a simple inventory. How many clocks (night stand, microwave and oven) are plugged in? Does your coffeemaker have a timer and clock for turning it on and off at preset times? How many CD, VCR or DVD players are plugged in that have clocks or memories?
Any electronic with a box-like transformer at the plug end of the cord is drawing power on standby, which is why the transformer is always warm to the touch.
Many homes will have an average of about 20 of these energy-wasters, resulting in hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs per household. Collectively, all of these energy vampires nationwide require about 12 power plants to serve them on an annual basis.
Culprits in your home
Did you know that your cell phone charger is using energy even when your phone isn't attached? Small kitchen appliances like slow cookers, bread makers and coffee pots use less than five watts each, but there's no reason to leave them plugged in when not in use. The little things add up.
What you can do
The first step toward curbing the appetite of energy vampires is awareness. After you've done an inventory, consider putting the appliances you have on a plug strip that has an individual power switch. When not using the stereo equipment, TV, VCRs and computer monitors and printers, just turn off the plug strip.
When shopping for new appliances, look for energy-efficient models. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now is limiting stand-by-power consumption (the power used by clocks and chips) under the ENERGY STAR® program. The ENERGY STAR label allows consumers to identify the most energy-efficient products available. To earn the label, products must use significantly less energy than non-labeled products.
ENERGY STAR appliances must use 50% less energy than standard appliances when they are operating, as well as when they are in standby mode ("off"). Be sure to purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances to prevent the vampires from wasting energy and your money. You can view a list of select retailers on this Web site or call (602) 236-9644.
