3 Easy Ways To Keep Your Devices But Reduce Vampire Energy

Jaceybonavia/ Climate, Conservation, Zero Waste

When we plug a power or charging cord into an electrical outlet, it uses energy — whether we are using the cord’s device or appliance or not! This wasted, leached energy is called phantom or vampire energy.

Remember, we still power a lot of our electrical grid with non-renewable fossil fuels. Fossil fuel use is a significant contributor to carbon in our atmosphere, causing our climate crisis. Reducing vampire energy is an easy, effective way to reduce our overall reliance on fossil-fuel-powered electricity.

As a bonus, reducing phantom energy will also reduce your electrical bill!

1. Unplug

The most obvious way to prevent wasted energy is to unplug your cords. For example, when you finish charging your phone, unplug the cord from the outlet, not just the phone.

Unplugging power cords and chargers can reduce phantom energy usage.

2. Power Strips

Another easy way to prevent wasted energy is to use power strips. You can flip off the power strip and cut off wasted energy to all appliances or devices utilizing the strip at the same time.

Turning off power strips when not in use can reduce phantom energy usage.

3. Energy-Saving Modes

You can set energy-saving modes on many modern devices to use less energy. For example, you can program your computer to go to “sleep” if it has been idle for a certain period.

Allowing computers to go to sleep can reduce phantom energy usage.

Energy-Sucking Devices and Appliances

Here is a list of commonly used devices or appliances that you can unplug, connect to a power strip, or put into an energy-saving mode to reduce vampire energy:

Computers, including desktops and laptops
Mobile phones
Televisions
Gaming consoles
Microwaves
Coffee makers, blenders, and other small kitchen appliances
Printers
Electric toothbrushes

Where else can you reduce wasted energy in your home?

February #WildSustainabilityChallenge

Reduce vampire energy use.

You can do it! Let us know how the challenge is going in the comments below, Facebook, or Instagram! Tag me @wildsustainability and use the hashtag #WildSustainabilityChallenge.

P.S. If you missed last month’s challenge, it’s not too late! Check it out here.