OH.....Give me a home, where the VAMPIRES roam...

Since my general idea is to cut down as many expenses as possible I thought I would go after the vampires next.

NOT the garlic hatin', stake through the heart, crusifix fearin', mirror avoidin' type vampires.

I am looking for electrical vampires also known as vampire power or phantom load.

This  refers to the electric power consumed by electronic appliances while they are switched off or in a standby mode. Individually the load is insignificant but all told the amount could be about 5% of your yearly electrical costs.

Typical offenders are

• Power supplies, transformers and inefficient electronic devices.
• VCRs, DVD players and some audio systems.
• TVs and Set-top boxes
• Microwave ovens
• Computers, digital monitors and printers
• Air conditioning systems with remote control.
• Devices with "Instant on" functions, with remote control receivers, or waiting for the user to interact.
• Devices with a stand-by light or clock.
• Power adapters (such as wall warts), whether they are powering a device or not.
• Some home video game consoles (e.g. Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360 & Sony PlayStation 3)

 
I know 5% is not much, but even if its only $60 saved in a year, that could be an extra night out with pizza and beer or in my case a few more pulls on the slot machines.....


Hhhhmmmm I wonder how much vampire power is lost in Las Vegas with all those slot machines and video poker displays on just flashing away waiting for some hopeful to drop in their coins? Now that would be some coin I would like to pocket!!!!