What are vampire appliances?

Q

“Vampires” are appliances that suck energy even when you think they’re shut off, like microwaves, TVs, and game systems. Anything with a cute little light or digital clock on it is drawing power, usually unnecessarily, and costing you money. Unplug these items when you’re finished with them, or better yet, use a power strip.

A

Is it bad to leave a cell phone charger plugged in with your phone attached after the phone has been charged?

Q

Leaving your charged phone attached to the charger uses more energy that leaving the charger dangling would. None of this amounts to much on its own, but when you consider all the chargers in your house, then multiply it by households in the U.S., it adds up.

A

What about a laptop charger? Does that leak energy?

Q

Laptops get a bit more complicated, because keeping them plugged in can actually be a good thing — it’s more efficient to use that power to run the machine than to use it to charge a battery which then runs the machine. If you’re going to be stationary for any length of time, consider keeping the machine plugged in, but check your manufacturer’s recommendations for this and tips on how to make your battery last.

A

TIPS

Create a central charging area for all the devices in your house, using a power strip (with a timer, even) to ensure that nothing is left on longer than needed. Check out alternative chargers like wind-up or solar devices. Buy a watt meter to see how much energy you’re using around the house, and how much it costs.

In the spirit of a season that’s as spooky as climate, we’re digging up an article for you each week in October.

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