Eversource is alerting customers they may have already inadvertently invited vampires into their homes and businesses.
— an announcement from Eversource
Vampire power, also known as “phantom load,” “ghost energy” or “standby power,” is electricity that is consumed by some appliances and electronics even when they’re turned off. If not kept in check, it can account for up to 10 percent of a household’s energy use and cost as much as $100 a year, according to the Department of Energy.
Image from Eversource
Don’t let your electric bill scare you.
One simple way to eliminate the energy drain is by unplugging devices like gaming consoles, laptops, toasters and coffee makers when not in use.
Even without a device attached, a plugged-in charger is constantly using electricity, so once a device is charged, unplugging it prevents additional energy usage. While it can be inconvenient to constantly plug and unplug certain devices, using a power strip with an on/off switch can help keep it simple because a quick flip of the switch prevents standby power for any device on the strip.
“We all have electronics in our homes that are using electricity without us even realizing it, and the more electronics or appliances you have in standby mode, the more it can add up on your energy bill,” said Eversource Energy Efficiency Manager Ricardo Jordan.
“Taking the time to unplug devices or turn off power strips, especially when you’re going away on vacation, is just one simple way to lower energy use a little bit. But stopping phantom power from haunting your electric bill isn’t the only way to control usage; we have a variety of energy efficiency programs and solutions available that we hope customers will take advantage of.”
For more information on the energy efficiency programs available that can lower usage and impact bills, visit Eversource.com.