Stop Energy Vampires

Don’t Let Them Drain Your Power

Lurking in the shadows of your home are energy vampires, haunting your appliances and sucking electricity. Stop them in their tracks! Try our energy-saving tricks for a treat on your energy bills this fall.

TRICK: Use power strips

TREAT: Your television, gaming console, or computer could still be using energy if you turned it off using only the power button. This usually puts the device in “standby mode,” which can still drain your power. To prevent this, add surge protectors or power strips to these items, which you can switch off to cut the flow of electricity entirely.

TRICK: Seal air leaks

TREAT: Tiny open spaces around your windows and doors could allow these ghosts to come in and haunt your home. Check the weatherstripping and seal leaks with caulk or replacement stripping.

TRICK: Use timers

TREAT: Just as with your TV, neglecting appliances like your water heater can allow energy vampires to secretly suck your power. Water heaters will run three to five hours a day to keep the tank heated 24/7. Install a timer to stop it from running when you don’t need it.

TRICK: Upgrade appliances

TREAT: Outdated appliances don’t run as efficiently as today’s models and can be vulnerable to energy vampires. The next time you shop for a new fridge, dishwasher, or washing machine, look for the ENERGY STAR® logo to boost savings.

Bonus trick: Walk through your home and look for electronics and appliances that fall prey to energy vampires. Follow our tips to stop these monsters from haunting your house.

Learn more at myPEC.com/savings.

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