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What You Need to Know About Vampire Energy

Learn about energy-sucking devices driving up your electricity bill.

2 min read

At Choose Energy, our reporters seek out information that puts you in control of your energy. Our partners do not direct our editorial content, though we may reference their products in our posts. Read about how we make money to learn more.

For business

Don't let energy vampires scare you this Halloween!

What is vampire energy?

Vampire energy is waste from devices and appliances left plugged in throughout your home, even when they are not in use. The average household has numerous devices still plugged in around the clock. Unfortunately, this vampire energy continues to drain power and may be driving up your electricity bill.

Which rooms have the most vampire energy?

As technology has advanced, so has the number of devices in your house. Today, the average household has electronics running in every room. But some rooms may be worse than others. Your office and living room typically have multiple cords and electronics running all day. From TVs to computers, these rooms are a great place to start searching for energy vampires in your home. Kitchens also have quite a few appliances you can unplug when you’re not using them, such as coffee makers, toaster ovens, and air fryers.

How to get rid of vampire energy in your home

It’s easy to eliminate excess energy waste from vampire energy and start saving on your electricity bills. Reducing consumption also benefits the environment by lowering your carbon footprint. Here are some tips to address vampire energy in your household:

Unplug cords and chargers

The following are examples of some of the most common cords you can unplug in your home:

  • Coffee makers
  • Toaster ovens
  • Microwaves
  • Hair dryers
  • Printers
  • Computers
  • Game consoles
  • DVD players
  • Cable boxes
  • Speakers

Upgrade to power strips

Switching to power strips allows you to handle multiple devices at once. For example, if you use a power strip for your computer, monitor, and cell phone charger, you can cut off these devices at the same time by turning off or unplugging the power strip. Smart plugs are also a good option because you can control them remotely. If you leave the house and forget to unplug a few devices, you can conveniently check the app and shut them off.

Switch to energy-efficient appliances

While this is a more costly route, investing in energy-efficient appliances helps reduce consumption. ENERGY STAR-certified appliances use less energy than traditional models and can lead to long-term electricity bill savings.

Saving energy can save money

Reducing vampire energy within your home or business is important because your energy consumption directly impacts your electricity bills. When you have devices draining electricity while not in use, your monthly consumption will be higher. The more consumption you have, the higher your electricity bill. Finding these sources of unused energy and cutting them off will help decrease your electricity costs.

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