What Is Vampire Energy and How Do You Prevent It?
November 16, 2018
How to Slay the Energy Vampire
1. Unplug It
In order to control these phantom energy-suckers, it’s a good idea to completely unplug devices when not in use.
Don’t leave hair dryers, straighteners, curlers, electric shavers, or anything else plugged into your bathroom outlet that could be sipping up energy all day.
Make it a habit to unplug blenders, mixers, coffee makers, and other unused kitchen appliances.
2. Use a Power Strip (with Surge Protection)
You can also use a surge protector or power strip so you can simply flip the switch to turn off the power. This is particularly useful for bigger energy hogs such as offices and entertainment systems.
Simply plug all your devices into a power strip (with surge protection). Then, flip off the power switch to all devices when they are not in use. Plug-in surge protectors also give you added surge protection on top of your whole-home surge protection.
Keep in mind that although they look the same, power strips are not surge protectors. Only surge protectors can help protect your plugged in devices against power surges.
We recommend using plug-in surge protectors for your expensive computers and electronics in addition to whole-house surge protection, which is installed at the breaker box and protects your entire electrical system from incoming surges.
No matter whether you get a power strip or surge protector, make sure it is tested by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
If you have a power strip or plug-in surge protector, you can shut off power by flipping off the main switch (usually red) on the power strip.
3. Electric Timers
You can use timed power switches to automatically turn the power on or off. There are now electric timers that can be connected to an app on your phone. This allows you to turn off bathroom or kitchen circuit remotely, giving you peace of mind while saving you money on vampire energy.
Speak with a professional electrician about installing light timers.
4. Turn Off Lights
Remember to turn off all lights when you leave the room. Try to take advantage of natural sunlight when you can. Sunlight naturally illuminates and warms your home, saving you on electricity and HVAC costs.
Daylighting also has many mood-enhancing benefits. It can prevent eyestrain, increase concentration, and produce a more calming and welcoming effect.
Contact Fix-It 24/7 at (303) 214-0277 for 24/7 plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical service in the Denver area or schedule service online.
Service You Can Count On
