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Reduce Always-On Wasted Electricity

Impact

Cost

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An energy ‘vampire’ is a device that continues to use energy, even when it is turned off. Devices like phone chargers, computer cords, gaming consoles, DVRs, TVs, and even coffee pots each draw small amounts of power when off, and can together add up to as much as 20-25% of your monthly electricity bill in this ‘standby mode’, according to Sense Energy Monitors. Using smart technologies in addition to being mindful of unplugging unused electronics makes it easier to shave off the ‘standby’ energy.

Unplug electronics that aren’t frequently used. If you have electronics or appliances that is rarely used, make sure they aren’t plugged in and drawing power. You can plug them in when you need to use them.

Use plugin on/off switches, power strips and surge protectors. These devices keep electronics at the ready, but truly powered off. For multiple devices in the same area like a TV, DVR, and cable box, they can be controlled together with one power strip with the flip of a switch, one remote, or a motion sensor. Smart power strips can leave a device on standby mode but keep the other devices completely off.

Remove chargers from outlets. Unplug the electronics chargers once a device has finished charging. If unplugging is a hassle, a plugin on/off switch can make it more convenient.

Buy ENERGY STAR products. When buying new electronic products, look for the ENERGY STAR label that indicates federal certification of energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR products have been designed to waste less energy in standby mode.

Measure electricity use with an electricity usage monitor. If you’re not sure which of your electronics and appliances might be the energy wasters, you can measure their standby power consumption with an electricity usage monitor. Kill A Watt is a common brand. You can then target specific devices that need to be turned off.

Steps to Take

1. Unplug devices that you use infrequently. For example, unplug old speakers, BlueRays, DVD players, VCRs, gaming devices, and landline chargers that you rarely use.

2. Put clusters of devices that are usually used together on smart power strips. Use the switch to turn the devices on only when you use them (e.g., TV+DVD+cable box or computer+monitor+printer).

3. Unplug smartphone and other electronics chargers when not in use or use a plugin on/off switch to cut off power when not in use.

4. Use an electricity usage monitor to locate devices that use a lot of standby power and keep them unplugged or on a smart power strip. These monitors are available for purchase online.

Deep Dive

If you want to see the electrical draw of all of your appliances, we particularly like the Sense Home Energy Monitor, which sends the informa tion from your breaker panel directly to your smartphone, using only a set of sensors installed in the panel. Check out this page for the many ways in which Sense users have been able to catch major power drains and failures, fix them, and save energy and money!

Email info@greennewton.org if you are interested in installing a Sense Energy Monitor. With enough interest it may be possible to negotiate a group discount. We can also recommend a licensed electrician to install a Sense monitor for free if you are doing other electrical work (for example, installing a Level II Electrical Vehicle Charger, replacing recessed lights with air-tight LED recessed lights, or upgrading your electrical capacity for heat pump electrification to get fossil fuels out of your home).

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