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Going Green: Vampire Power

vpetersen
Explorer B

It’s Halloween, and vampires are ready to feast. Believe it or not, there are a few lurking around your house right now. But wait! Don’t hang the garlic or barricade your home just yet, because these vampires don’t suck blood, they suck power.

Vampire power, or standby power, is wasted electrical energy that is consumed when your appliances are left plugged into the socket but not in use. It has been estimated that American households unwillingly spend about ten percent of their yearly electricity bill due to vampire power. The United States spends an average of $10 billion a year on this wasted energy alone! The wasted money isn’t the only downside; our environment is greatly impacted by this frightening power-sucker.

Every year, vampire power produces more than 50 million tons of CO2 in the United States alone, which is equivalent to adding 11 million cars on the road. These are some spooky statistics; however, don’t fear, for we can help slay these vampires with these easy tips:

  • Unplug everything that is not currently in use, such as computers and cell phone chargers.
  • Surge strips are a convenient way to discontinue wasted power from multiple appliances at the switch of a button. Simply plug your electronics into the single strip and cut the power when you’re not using them.
  • Look for products that can help automate this process. There are many energy-saver surge strips and energy timers available that do all the work for you by regulating the energy use of your devices.
  • Buy more efficient products. Next time you’re in the market for a new washer/dryer or toaster, make sure they’re energy efficient.

By taking the extra steps to ensure our electricity isn’t being wasted, we can save not only our wallets but the environment, too. Do you know other ways to ward off these vampires? Let us know by commenting below or emailing us at green@wnco.com.

DING! You are now free to be Green.