Even when they’re not “on”, a multitude of everyday home appliances continue to draw power from the grid, raising home energy bills and increasing atmospheric emissions. These so-called “Energy Vampires” cost U.S. homeowners $4 billion, collectively, in 2005.
In 2010, that figure is likely higher.
In the video above, some of the more common Energy Vampires are highlighted. As an example of how costly standby power can be, researchers show that idle microwave ovens consume enough energy each day to pop an entire bag of microwave popcorn. Annually, the kind of energy consumption wastes close to $70 per household.
Other household Energy Vampires include:
- Idle battery chargers
- Computers in “standby” mode
- Remote control sensors
Simply being aware of home energy-suckers is one easy way to reduce your electricity bill and do something good for the environment. The video shows you how you can both.
