Sustainability Myths: Are Vampire Appliances Sucking the Green Out of Your Lifestyle?

Posted on by Patricia Beaumont

Many people think they are doing their part to go green by simply turning off their TV or computer when it is not being used, but does that cut it? It is true: Most appliances use the greatest amount of energy when they are in use, or “on.” However, what about the other 20 hours a day when your TV is plugged in in the corner? Doesn’t matter because it is off, right? Turns out, that is a myth that needs to be busted.

Myth: Everyday appliances use energy only when they are powered on. And yes, this one is in fact a myth.

What many people don’t realize is that their TV, computer, and coffee maker are sucking up energy for the entirety of the time they are plugged in. The scariest part about these energy suckers – they are everywhere. Everything from your radio to your toaster to your garage door opener is using energy constantly if it is attached to a power supply – i.e. plugged into your wall. These energy sucking electronic gadgets are known in the sustainability world as “vampire appliances.”

So why does this happen, even if you turn your devices off? Well, as it turns out most power switches on appliances really mean more “standby” than they do “off.” This is an added convenience so that electronics around the house do not take as long to power up, as they are starting from a standby state. However, this “convenience” is a major energy draw – and adds about $200 to the average American’s annual electricity bill.  So for those sustainably concerned among us, this is much more alarming than convenient.

So what is a green crusader to do in the battle against energy vampires? The solution is actually pretty simple. The first step, perhaps an obvious one, is to unplug infrequently used appliances between uses, and unplug everything when you leave for vacation. For more frequently used appliances, invest in a power strip with an “on/off” switch, which can be found at almost any electronics or hardware store. Then, when you turn off these appliances, turn off the power strip as well. This cuts off the energy current at the source, so the vampires get nothing when the strip is turned off.

By Grace Interlichia, Class of 2014

Source: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/definitions/Phantom-Load

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102 Replies to “Sustainability Myths: Are Vampire Appliances Sucking the Green Out of Your Lifestyle?”

  1. This is a game-changer in my understanding of energy consumption. Those standby modes are costing us way more than we realize. Thanks for shedding light on this issue!

  2. Thank you for busting this myth! I’ll be honest, I never considered the energy usage of my appliances when they’re plugged in but not in use. Definitely going to take action and make some changes.

  5. Sustainability is certainly a hot topic that many users are quite aware of. Thanks for providing the solution for saving energy from energy-sucking appliances. The convenient strategies should also include smart upgrades. Worth reading.

  9. You could certainly see your expertise within the work you write.

    The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.

  17. Hi there, yes this piece of writing is really nice and I have learned lot of things from it about blogging. thanks.

  18. Good write up. We actually have an increase in clients that are cognizant of the amount of energy used by their new appliances.

  20. These are some great energy-saving tips. A plug timer can also be a good option for convenience to turn off appliances when not in use.

  21. Very interesting blog. Many blogs I see these days do not really provide anything that attracts others, but believe me the way you interact is literally awesome. Thanks for sharing it with Us..!

  35. Everyone knows that energy is a limited source in the environment. And home appliances are the things which take maximum electricity. for controlling that energy wastage go green is the best way. And the information which is provided by you is really very informative and necessary to know for everyone.

  36. It’s only when the losses go five to ten times the original bet that they realise the risk they have taken.

  37. Wow even if power on or off if plugged in power socket it will use energy. This is the first time hearing this and the post is informative thanks for sharing

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  41. As we all know that energy is a finite source, so it is more necessary to use it rationally!! I really like to know about the material composition and quality. I hope in the future, that I will get a chance to know about some more such material.

  43. Same like Tesla, advertising as EVs are the future yet running on electricity produced by burning coal. LMAO.

  48. OMG, thank you for this valuable informational article, sir.. this is very important, and everyone should read this article… now I am share this article to my friends and family..

  53. It is interesting to know about Vampire Appliances! More interesting, it adds up to the annual electricity bill. Plug out and plug-in electrical application every time, however, is a very un-practical solution and against the human nature of settling things in a hurry.

  57. Everyone knows that energy is a limited source in the environment. And home appliances are the things which take maximum electricity. for controlling that energy wastage go green is the best way.And the information which is provided by you is really very informative and necessary to know for everyone.

  61. Wow, you are such an great blogger. your post such an amazing and very informative .
    I really enjoyed reading this post, Thanks for sharing this wonderful post share with us,

  65. I’m really glad to read the informative article, from now I will follow these practices for long life of appliances

    well done keep posting like this

  66. Very good information. I was also following the same thing of not removing the appliances from the power socket and i think awareness is the key to anything in the world. Thanks for sharing.

  69. The energy in nature is limited in the source. It should be utilized rationally!! Your content really inspired me a lot. Looking forward to some more content like this

  71. This is an amazing article. In my view, awareness is the key to anything in the world. People are now are of these kinds of appliances and even the issues & damages that are created by them.

  73. Im really glad to read the informative article, from now I will follow these practices for long life of appliances

  80. This is an amazing article. In my view, awareness is the key to anything in the world. People are now are of these kinds of appliances and even the issues & damages that are created by them.

  81. its fantastic post about education and entirely explained. I was also following the same practices of not removing the appliances from the power socket.

  82. I read your article. and I got some ideas on how I can improve my writing skills. thanks! I’ll make sure to improve my skills on my blog.

  84. I was not aware of such securities measure with power chord, Usually I left it on always and also while removing I was switching off it first, rather directly removing the plug.
    Thanks for sharing such informative article, from now I will follow these practices for long life of appliances.

  86. Energy is a limited source. It should be utilized rationally!! I really love the content structure & quality. Looking forward to some more content like this

  87. This is an amazing article. In my view, awareness is the key to anything in the world. People are now are of these kinds of appliances and even the issues & damages that are created by them.

  88. Very nice information. I was also following the same practices of not removing the appliances from the power socket.
    Will follow the best practices to go green.
    Cheers!!

  90. You have done a great job. I think the use of these types of appliances has been stopped by the people. Today, most of us are looking for a high energy rating and safe appliances for our home.

  94. Strange how people see this so differently. However i would have to agree with you that one simple way we can all help save more energy is by simply unplugging appliances when we leave for vacation or long weekend getaways.

  97. There’s a vampire in your home, and it’s feeding off of the energy from your electronics. With the average American household owning 25 consumer electronic devices, you can begin to see how these phantom loads can translate into a significant chunk of your energy bill.

    There are several simple and convenient strategies like :

    1) Unplug devices you don’t use often
    2) Use power strips
    3) Curb idle time in devices such as computers and video game consoles.
    4) Make smart upgrades

    None of these strategies will eliminate your electric bill entirely, but together these tricks can help you slay energy vampires while saving money, a treat you can appreciate long after Halloween has passed.

  98. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to
    say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  99. You could certainly see your expertise within the work you write.

    The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.

  101. Everyone knows that energy is a limited source in the environment. And home appliances are the things which take maximum electricity. for controlling that energy wastage go green is the best way.And the information which is provided by you is really very informative and necessary to know for everyone.

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