Skip to main content  
  Helping the environment one joke at a time, Grinning Planet. Click to go to home page. flying letter; click to go to signup page for free email version
Get GP free
via email !
 
   
       
 

Vampire Power

Save energy by reducing standby power. Beware of vampire power!            Updated Oct-2007 

Eco-Logical cartoon graphic of cube-shaped globe

STOP WRITING MONTHLY CHECKS TO NOSFERATU
Vampire Power – Wasted Standby Power in Home Electronics and Appliances

When we say "vampire power," we don't mean the hypnotic power of some black-caped, white-fanged Transylvanian. We mean the electricity your cartoon picture of electronic appliances asleep home electronics and appliances suck out of the power grid when you're not using them. (Of course, we realize that the TV has a certain hypnotic, vampirish power over us, but that's a different problem.)

If you're a conscientious user of appliances and gadgets, you always turn them off when you're not using them. But many electronics don't actually go all the way off—they continue using "standby power." Some examples of features that require standby power are:

  • internal clocks and sensors;
  • external clock displays and panel display LEDs;
  • remote control sensors;
  • battery rechargers and power-conversion packs;
  • communications between a base unit and a portable unit (as in a portable phone).

This article provides some statistics on how much vampire power is costing you and offers tips for reducing your vampire-power problem in the future.

VAMPIRE POWER TAKES A BITE OUT OF YOUR WALLET

The amount of standby power wasted varies among electronic equipment, but overall, the cost to consumers and businesses for all the electricity lost to vampire power in the US is estimated to be $4 billion annually. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates the global energy consumption due to standby power at between 200-400 terawatts per year.

Not all of this vampire power is truly wasted—after all, many of the features in modern electronics that require standby power are either critical for proper functioning of the unit or are associated with desirable features. Most wasted standby power is consumed by inefficient power supplies and components that are getting power unnecessarily. An Australian study of global standby power usage in electronic devices estimated that electronics manufacturers could reduce vampire power by 30% right off the bat just by using existing, better technologies—and with minimal additional cost to consumers.

WHERE DO THE VAMPIRES DWELL?

Exact figures on total losses to standby power are not available, but the most recent major survey on the subject estimated that in the United States, 5% of electricity usage is due to standby power. In Europe, the numbers run slightly higher: France at 7% and Germany and the Netherlands at 10% each. Australia comes in at 11%, Japan at 12%.

Depending on the efficiency of your unit's design, the standby power use can be minimal or substantial. And even though home electronics aren't typically the biggest electricity users in a house, vampire power can still cost you up to 10% of your electric bill.

To some extent, vampire power is only one factor in overall power use for electronic devices. Different units can vary in their "in-use efficiency" too. So really, what we want to look at is the overall energy efficiency of the unit, whether it's off or on, and get an estimate of the total power likely to be consumed by a typical consumer over an average year.

DRIVING A STAKE THROUGH THE HEART OF VAMPIRE POWER

The US EnergyStar program has done a lot to empower consumers by providing energy efficiency ratings for various categories of electronics. To get the EnergyStar label, products must meet stringent energy-efficiency criteria. So, when you shop here in the US, make sure the product is EnergyStar-rated. For some categories, such as refrigerators and freezers, there will also be a numerical efficiency rating that can help you further narrow your choice.

The EnergyStar web site has a slew of pages designed to help you find models that qualify for the EnergyStar label. Each product page gives an overview of the energy considerations for the particular electronics category, provides a mini-search engine to help you find brands that qualify, and give information about other important product characteristics that will help you make smart purchases. Product pages are available for many categories; we list the most popular ones below.

HUNT DOWN THOSE
BLOODY POWER DRAINERS!

There's a cool little gadget available that can help you determine which of your plug-in items are the most inefficient power consumers. picture of kill-a-watt electricity usage monitor It's the Kill-A-Watt electricity usage monitor. You just plug it into the wall outlet and then plug your electrical device into the Kill-a-Watt monitor. It will allow you to assess how efficient the electrical device is. You can calculate the item's electrical cost by the day, week, month, or year to help you decide whether a more efficient model would save you money over time. Check out the Kill-A-Watt monitor at Amazon.com

  • Consumer electronics, like TVs, VCRs, and DVD players, as well as cordless phones and phone/answering machines;
  • Computer and office equipment, including CPUs, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, copiers, and water coolers;
  • Major appliances like refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, and clothes washers;
  • Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, as well as fans, dehumidifiers, and air purifiers;
  • Light fixtures and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

Go to the EnergyStar web site

VAMPIRE POWER — WRAP UP

picture of home electronics When you replace a piece of electronic gear that's got a big vampire-power factor with one that's more efficiently designed, you save money over the long run. But remember, since power plants produce pollution when they generate electricity for you, reducing wasted vampire power also helps reduce pollution. We'll all breathe easier when the power vampires are dead!

Know an energy ghoul who might like this Vampire Power article? Please forward it to them.

Updated: OCT-2007
(Original: 26-OCT-2004)

Books:

  • See books related to vampire power and saving electricity

More articles and resources for....

Search Amazon.com for....




 
RELATED GP ARTICLES
 

BE A SUNSHINE SUPERMAN (OR WOMAN) — POWER YOUR HOME WITH SOLAR!

Home Solar Energy — Systems and Strategies

YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE A QUIZ IF YOU WANT TO SIT AT THE ENERGY BAR

Munch on a Handful of Energy Quizzes, Smarty Pants!

THE THREE LAWS OF OUR ENERGY PEAK FUTURE: LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL

The Coming Energy Peak and the Need for Global Re-Localization

 

Get Grinning Planet free via email

 

FREE AUDIO CLIPS

free audio news clips link; image of zombie kid - DON'T BE A MAINSTREAM MEDIA DRONE! - Free MP3 news download at Grinning Planet
 
Books for a Better Planet

For more reviews or purchase info, click on any title to go to Amazon.com

  book cover for Energy: Use Less - Save More, by Jon Clift and Amanda Cuthbert, 9/5/2007

Did you know that lowering the temperature of your thermostat by a mere 2 degrees Fahrenheit could reduce your energy bill by 10 percent? Or that energy-efficient light bulbs last about 12 times longer than ordinary bulbs and consume one-fifth the energy? This is just the beginning of what you'll learn in this handy book, containing more than one hundred ideas for saving energy. These tips will save you money, and help you take your first steps in the fight against global warming and other air pollution.

 
  book cover for Basics of Energy Efficient Living, by Lonnie Wibberding, 7/21/2006

A Beginner's Guide to Alternative Energy and Home Energy Savings

This book explains the principles behind energy-efficient living, answering questions such as: What is R-value? How much energy could I get from my creek? Can I use alternative energy in the city? How much heat will it take to keep my house warm? How much heat will I lose if I put in a bigger window? Learn what it takes to save energy, then take the next step and collect your own by finding out how much energy you can get from water, sun, wind, and wood. Then apply energy principles to make an energy budget and design your energy projects or house step-by-step.

 
  book cover for Energy Switch, by Craig Morris, 6/1/2006

Declining oil supplies and the environmental impact of coal dictate a switch to renewable energy sources. What mix of renewables is feasible as a major source of energy? At what cost and with what drawbacks? In what time period? The book examines the shortcomings and benefits of various energy sources; "ecological tax reform," efficiency improvement, and demand management strategies; and how the US can once again become a renewable energy leader. (by Craig Morris)

 
  book cover for Easy Guide To Solar Electric (Part I), by Adi Pieper, 3/15/2007

This book is a simple and entertaining introduction to solar electric and a statement for clean energy and an environmentally healthy lifestyle. The reader will be introduced to the basic electrical terms, the components of a solar-electric system, tying into the grid, as well as tips on living in a solar energy home. (Related book: Part II - Solar Electric Installation Manual)

 

Search Amazon.com for more...

    


Or see more books on GP:

Back to . . .

Vampire Cartoon

Environmental Cartoons

Jokes/Cartoons (non-eco)

 

ADVERTISEMENT

 

Hey, we don't pick
the Google ads!   – GP

 
CLICKS ON OUR ADS AND PURCHASES VIA OUR AMAZON LINKS HELP SUPPORT THIS FREE SITE... THANKS!

 

 


"If it weren't for electricity, we'd all be watching television by candlelight."

— George Gobel


 

       
   >              
   > document gif Sign up to get Grinning Planet free by email, or get more info about it Email a link to this page to someone  
   > Issue Number 98
Copyright 2004, 2007 © Mark Jeantheau — All rights reserved.   More info
 
   
   
 
 
NEWS, ARTICLES, INFO

MP3 News Download
Video/Audio News Sites
Environmental News Sites
Investigative Journalism Sites

Environment/Energy/Economy
    - Articles/Resources By Topic
    - Articles By Date

Environmental Quotes
    - Funny Environmental Quotes
    - Peak Oil Quotes

Environmental Cartoons/Jokes
    - Environmental Videos/Animations

Environmental Products
Eco/Nature Greeting Cards

Grinning Planet Farm

FUNNY STUFF

Funny Jokes/Cartoons
    - Environmental Cartoons

Funny Animations/Videos
    - Environmental Animations/Videos

Funny Quotes
    - Environmental Funny Quotes

BOOKS

Environmental Books
Global Warming Books
Energy Books
Solar Energy Books
Peak Oil Books
Food-Gardening Books
Media Books

 
MUSIC & MOVIES

Environmental Movies
Environmental Songs
Environmental Music Videos

Album Reviews
Fun With Lyrics

ADMIN

Home Page
Search
Site Map
About Us
FAQs
Contact
Free Subscriptions
Unsubscribe
Privacy Policy