Did you know that there are energy vampires hiding in your office that suck up your power, both day and night? Don’t let them drain your budget. Consider these simple solutions to stop energy vampires.
Unplug electronic devices that are not in use.
Many devices continue to use power, even when they’re turned off. Unplug phone chargers and computers when it’s convenient and not in use. Many devices have an indicator light that will let you know when a device is fully charged and can be unplugged.
Plug your appliances into a power strip.
Power strips are used to plug multiple devices into one wall outlet. While regular power strips don’t lower energy usage, smart or advanced strips are designed to shut down devices in standby mode and eliminate sources of energy vampires.
Advanced power strips allow you to control multiple devices at once and automatically shut off power to plugged-in devices when they’re not in use. Occupancy sensors also help by shutting off devices when no one’s around.
Purchase ENERGY STAR® products.
If your business is using outdated appliances or electronic devices, it’s time to make the switch to more efficient ENERGY STAR®-certified models that help manage your power. ENERGY STAR® devices are made to use less energy, run on less standby power and guarantee significant energy savings.
Upgrade to smart devices.
It’s easier than ever to become more energy efficient. Small devices like smart thermostats and smart bulbs can be simple solutions for bone-chilling energy bills. Smart thermostats help you monitor and adjust a room’s temperature so that you save energy during off-hours. Smart LED light bulbs are more energy efficient and detect motion to shut off when rooms are unoccupied. Some smart bulbs even allow you to control your lighting from your smartphone.
For even more savings solutions, visit EnergySaver.gov.
I upgraded to a new efficient gas furnace year before last & last year got brand new Samsung fridge, dishwasher, washer & dryer, and microwave, I have yet to see a drop in my bill.
Hi Steven. It’s great that you’ve upgraded to more energy efficient appliances. It sounds like you’re making great steps toward lowering your energy usage. There are lots of factors that go into what affects your energy bill — weather, lifestyle changes and time of year, for example. Typically, we recommend comparing bills from the same month year to year (e.g., January 2020 to January 2019). You can get a more accurate comparison that way. Thanks for writing!