Are Vampire Appliances Bleeding You Dry?

Did you know that your new flat-screen television, DVD player, stereo system or cell phone charger could be an "energy vampire"? Yes, many of these everyday appliances and many others could be bleeding you dry even when you aren’t using them. Any appliance that uses standby power, often referred to as instant-on appliances, draw electricity even when they are turned off and are “energy vampires”.

This goes on every day, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year whether you are at home or away. And believe me, you are paying for it. While instant-on appliances are convenient, you might think twice if you knew what it really costs you. Reducing the energy used by these appliances can lower the typical household energy bill by five to ten percent. Read on to learn more.

A Growing Problem

A 2002 report released by Cornell University states that, "Much of the electrical power generated in the United States comes from fossil-fuel power plants, so vampire appliances significantly contribute to the production of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants." The same report estimates that vampire appliances cost consumers $3 billion a year in wasted energy expenses.

A May 2009 International Energy Association (IEA) report states that despite recent conservation efforts “electricity consumption is growing at nearly twice the rate estimated in 2003”. The IEA also predicts staggering growth in the number of electrical appliances in use around the world. “By 2010 there will be over 3.5 billion mobile phone subscribers, two billion TVs in use around the world, and one billion personal computers. Electronic devices are a growing part of our lives and many of us can count between 20 and 30 separate items in our homes, from major items like televisions to a host of small gadgets.”

Mark Pierce, an associate in the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis in Cornell’s College of Human Ecology, says “Off doesn’t mean off anymore, but standby and as a result, we are using the equivalent of seven electrical generating plants just to supply the amount of electricity needed to support the standby power of our vampire appliances when they are off.”

Common Vampire Appliances

Equipment that have the features of remote controls, continuous digital displays, rechargeable batteries or soft-touch keypads are likely vampire appliances. Basically, if the appliance has a clock, illuminated LED or display when turned off it is burning energy. You can check out the “Home Electronics” section of the EnergyStar website for a list of electronics that cut energy waste by using less standby power.

Common Instant-on Appliances include:

• TVs
• VCRs
• DVDs
• Portable stereos
• Cordless phone chargers
• Microwave ovens
• Clock radios
• Answering machines
• Computer modems
• Laptops that are plugged in and not running on battery power
• Space heaters
• Cell phone chargers
• Baby monitors
• Portable cordless power tool chargers
• Garage door openers

Of course, some appliance functions will require a small amount of electricity. Good design can help reduce the power drains but not eliminate it entirely. Some of these functions include maintaining signal reception capability for remote control, telephone or network signals, monitoring temperature or other conditions such as in a refrigerator, powering an internal clock and battery charging, for example.

Drive a Stake through the Heart of Your Vampire Appliances

So what can you do to help eliminate or reduce the bleeding? Here are a few suggestions you can easily implement:

• If you don’t frequently use the appliance, unplug it. It is a small inconvenience considering the potential savings.
• Unplug your cell phone chargers when not in use. Ever notice that it is warm even when not it use? That heat is the result of energy being dissipated even when not in use.
• Use a power strip for groups of computer or home entertainment equipment. Everything can be turned off and on with the touch of one switch.
• Check with the EnergyStar products list and locate appliances with lower standby energy requirements when purchasing new appliances.
• Purchase a wattmeter to measure each device in the home to find the biggest energy vampires. Once you know the biggest bleeders you can take appropriate action. This can reduce the standby energy consumption of 30% or more.

Also, check out the Vampire Energy Chart at Good Magazine for a great visual representation of what these appliances can be costing you. The plasma TV was a real eye opener for me as we own one of those beasts! When you add these savings to other energy saving changes like switching to compact florescent light bulbs, using a programmable thermostat and others you can save some serious coin.  Drive a stake through the heart of your energy vampires before they bleed your dry!