These ‘vampire appliances’ are costing you up to $440 a year
Right in one of the most popular rooms in your home, money is being drained without your knowing it.
It’s in your kitchen and “vampire appliances” are using energy—even when you’re not using them.
A vampire appliance is an appliance that continues to use energy even when it’s turned off but remains plugged in.
“On average, a homeowner wastes 35% of that power used in their home annually,” Dan Mock, vice president of operations at Mister Sparky, explains to Realtor.com®.
“These energy-sucking devices are detrimental not only to the environment but also to your wallet.”
In your kitchen, these are some of the vampire appliances:
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Coffee makers
- Television
- Clocks
These “phantom loads continue to consume electricity even when they are in standby or off mode. By turning them off, you reduce this unnecessary energy consumption, which can lead to significant energy savings over time,” says Mock.
The home electronic appliances you have plugged in when not in use can cost a typical household between $165 to $440 annually, according to Edison International.
No power pluses
Mock shared with Realtor.com® several steps and benefits to turning off your vampire appliances.
- Cost reduction: Vampire appliances contribute to your electricity bills, even when you’re not actively using them. By switching them off, you can lower your energy bills and save money.
- Environmental impact: Unplugging or turning off vampire appliances reduces your carbon footprint. It helps decrease the overall demand for energy generation, which can be environmentally harmful, especially if your electricity comes from nonrenewable sources.
- Prolonged appliance lifespan: Some appliances may experience wear and tear even in standby mode, leading to a shorter lifespan. Turning them off can extend their longevity and reduce the frequency of replacements.
- Fire safety: Appliances left in standby mode can pose a small fire hazard. While the risk is generally low, turning them off eliminates this potential danger entirely.
- Convenience: Turning off vampire appliances can simplify your life by reducing the number of devices that need to be managed and maintained. It also prevents accidental activations or updates when you don’t want them.
“Reducing your usage when possible, using power-saving or similar settings, and making energy-efficient upgrades are a few ways to keep electricity usage down with these appliances,” adds Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo Home Insurance.
“For example, a household can save about $450 annually on energy bills when using Energy Star products.”
Keep in mind, the kitchen is not the only culprit when it comes to vampire appliances. Other rooms in your home where electronics are plugged in are also zapping electricity when not in use.
Those common electronics include cable or satellite boxes, computers, video game consoles, chargers, printers, and even lights.
