Stop Wasting Vampire Power: Tips to Save Valuable Energy
Thursday, October 30, 2008
We're all guilty of wasting too much energy and some of us waste more than others, to be sure.
That said, have you ever heard of "vampire power?"
"Vampire Power" is the electricity that consumer electronics and appliances use while they are switched off or in a standby mode. Did you know roughly $4 billion annually across the United States is spent on electricity lost to "vampire power," according to the International Energy Agency. And that 40 percent of all electricity used to power electronics in the average American home, such as TVs, DVD players and computers, is consumed while these products are turned off, according to the Department of Energy.
That's right. Off!
Best Buy is officially declaring today, October 30, 2008, National Vampire Power Awareness Day. Most of us want to cut down on our energy bills as well as save more energy. Here's what you can do starting today.
1. Use a power strip: Plug your chargers into a power strip and when you're not using those chargers, turn the power strip off.
2. Get unplugged: All of your chargers (cell phone, MP3, laptop, and even electric toothbrushes) continue to draw electricity even when the device is not charging. When the device has been completely charged unplug the charger from the wall.
3. Turn your computer off: Completely shut down your computer and printer when not in use. If you are unable to do so, at least make sure the computer goes into a low-power sleep, standby or hibernate mode. And watch out for those screen savers; graphic intense screen savers can actually waste power.
4. Look for the Star: Upgrade electronics and appliances to Energy Star-rated models, which draw less power than the average when in "off" mode.
For more tips and advice on ridding vampires from your home, visit your local Best Buy store or check out www.vampireawarenessday.com .
Labels: awareness, energy, green, waste-free
posted by The Mom Salon Editors @ 6:16 AM,
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