INDIANA — This Halloween season, Duke Energy is cautioning Indiana customers about the quiet toll of “energy vampires”—appliances and electronics that draw power continuously around the clock, even when turned off, idle, or set to standby mode.
What Are Energy Vampires?
Common household items such as televisions, cell phone chargers, coffee makers, and virtually any device equipped with an external power supply, internal battery, continuous LED display, remote control, or constant network connection can act as energy vampires.
According to Duke Energy, an average home can contain up to 40 of these devices, collectively accounting for roughly 5% to 10% of a residential customer’s total electricity consumption.
“Pulling the plug on energy vampires is a way for our customers to manage their energy use,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “While each of these devices may not draw a substantial amount of electricity on their own, together they can add up and have a noticeable impact on bills.”
Duke Energy recommends a few quick, practical steps homeowners can take to curb unnecessary power draw:
- Unplug Unused Electronics: Disconnect devices when they are not in active use, particularly in secondary spaces or guest rooms.
- Utilize Smart Power Strips: Switch to advanced power strips that automatically sever power to connected electronics when they go idle.
- Enable Sleep Modes: Activate built-in energy-saving settings on electronics to reduce idle power consumption.
- Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Products: When replacing older appliances, opt for ENERGY STAR® certified products or updated technologies, which can offset their purchase costs over time through ongoing utility savings.
For additional information on energy efficiency programs and no-cost strategies to lower monthly utility bills, visit Duke Energy’s savings resource portal at duke-energy.com/savings.
