When not in use appliances can still use energy.  The US Department of Energy (USDOE) estimates about 5% of your household electric bill is spent on vampire loads that go to keep your electronics and other appliances ready to be used at a moment’s notice.  That is about 425 kWh/year or $70/year or 225 pounds of CO2/year for the average household.

Want to find the vampires lurking in your home? Try a “Kill-A-Watt” meter that allows you to monitor a the energy a device is using even when turned off or shutdown. Learn more at: http://www.p3international.com/products/energy-savers.html or check with the Hopewell Township Branch of the Mercer County Library to see if you can borrow one.

One way to manage vampire loads is to use advanced power strips (APS). The USDOE estimates that a homeowner could save $200 per years using APS.  Visit  https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/choose-right-advanced-power-strip-you for help in choosing the right APS.