Vampire appliances or phantom appliances are devices that are on perpetual stand-by mode due to the nature of their mechanics. Think of a running car that is put in park. Because of this constant flow of power, their chances of starting electrical fires in your home greatly increases. You might also see an increase of up to 10% on your electricity bill every year if you do not stay proactive about unplugging them. This number is expected to jump in the future as more households start to adopt the use of smart devices; an ‘energy vampire’ contender. Not sure which appliances in your home are in constant power sucking mode? Don’t fret - we have compiled a list of energy vampire devices to watch out for below:

Office:

  • Computer speakers
  • Notebook computer
  • LCD computer display
  • USB hub
  • Desktop computer
  • Surge protector
  • Flatbed scanner
  • Laser printer
  • Cable modem

Kitchen:

  • Interior night light
  • Clock
  • Chargers
  • Coffee makers

Living Room:

  • Audio mini system
  • CD Player
  • DVD Player
  • Game console
  • Set-top box, digital cable with DVR
  • Television

To overcome the safety issue of ‘energy vampires’, many have given instructions to unplug each and every appliance when not in use. Although a seemingly quick fix, we understand how impractical this routine could be if your time is limited. We found that the most sensible solution is to use surge protectors in areas of the home with multiple devices. This will allow you to turn off the power in one flip of a switch.

Be sure to maintain your surge protector and check for signs of wear to keep your home safe. If you want to conduct a more thorough energy audit, call us at (210) 899-2430 and our dispatchers will be glad to connect you with one of our expert electricians to assist you in the process.