This Halloween, something scary is lurking in your house—energy vampires! Don’t look for them to be hiding in closets or under the bed – these vampires are right in front of you or even close at hand. Sneaky devices, like cell phone chargers and common appliances, are stealing your electricity.
Killing these energy vampires takes more than garlic, a stake through the heart or even a flip of the “off” switch. These days, things like televisions, VCRs, DVD players and stereos, don’t really turn off even when they are “off.” They go into sleep mode and continue to draw power so that they can be turned on instantly. Other energy vampires are chargers for wireless tools, microwaves, coffee makers and other appliances.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports in a typical U.S. home, your appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20 percent of your energy bills. For an average UE residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month, at least $51 a year is being wasted by your energy vampires. When totaled, that’s almost equal to one month’s electric bill.
UE offers these tips for shutting down the energy vampires in your life:
• Plug appliances into a “power strip” or “surge protector” that allows you to turn off multiple appliances with only one switch.
• Unplug battery chargers for mobile phones, cameras and other gadgets once batteries are fully charged.
• Energy vampires will cringe at the site of the ENERGY STAR® label on appliances. Replacing older, less efficient appliances with ENERGY STAR qualified models will be the final nail in the energy vampire’s coffin!
• For more ways to save energy and money on your electric bill, go to UEfficiency.com.
AmerenUE, founded in 1902, provides electric and gas service to approximately 1.2 million customers across central and eastern Missouri, including the greater St. Louis area. UE serves 57 Missouri counties and 500 towns. The company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. For more information, visit www.ameren.com.
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Contact: Lisa Manzo 314-554-6157