Guard Your Home Against Energy Vampires!

For many members, October means Halloween — spooky stories, haunted houses and every scary thing in between. But at DEC, the scariest creatures we know are energy vampires, devices that continue to draw standby power even when they are turned off. Such devices can include televisions, gaming consoles, chargers and more. While the initial amount of power lost may seem minor, over time these devices can cause a major drain on your electricity, accounting for about 10% of energy usage in the average home. But never fear, DEC has the information you need to combat any energy vampires you come in contact with. 

For starters, make sure to unplug any non-essential devices when they are not in use. Another simple solution is to purchase SMART power strips. These alternatives to traditional power strips include a master switch. Devices plugged into the outlets will stay off until you turn the master switch on. When it’s time to replace the appliances in your home, make sure to do so with Energy Star rated devices. Not only are they more efficient, but they will also draw less standby power if left plugged in. 

For more tips on how to protect your home from energy vampires, visit the Energy Savings section of of our website today!