The Vampires Living In Your House

Growing up near the U.S. border, I thought I'd seen my share of vampire bats. However, I never suspected that I've been unwittingly living with vampires, and that just about every where I've lived, they've been with me. They aren't biting my neck, they are putting their fangs into my wallet. I'm wondering if you too, are aware that you are also living with vampires? They are even home when you aren't there, every day.

"Vampire loads", also known as "phantom loads" are the electricity we all unknowingly (for the most part), consume from all the modern electronic trappings and appliances that are plugged in, whether or not they are in use.

It's estimated that seventy-five percent of all the power used in the average home is consumed while appliances and electronic devices are plugged in, but turned off. If you think about that, and then think in terms of your monthly electric bill -- you'll realize that it is high time you expelled "vampire loads" from your house permanently.

It seems kind of surreal that electronic items we aren't using at the moment, are hanging like vampires sleeping in the background, waiting like a thief to steal our hard earned money and the energy environment.

Even more astounding is that "vampire loads" are also radiating heat into your home, increasing the amount of energy required to cool your home.

In thinking about this, I remembered my elderly former Hasidim Jewish in-laws. I just thought they were odd and misinformed, when we visited their home in Skokie, Illinois. They insisted on having anything electric unplugged, unless it was in actual use. My naive mind had concluded that they didn't understand how electricity worked or were afraid of a potential fire. I should have realized that this frugal elderly couple, might have known more than I did.

Well, obviously, most of us don't want to be running around unplugging and replugging all of the electronics in our housholds. Doing a head count just in this one room, that would be fourteen different electronic devices. The simplest solution is to invest in plug strips with an on/off power strip. The most important thing is to be aware of this wallet biter and "think" about what you really need plugged in 24/7. Eliminate all unnecessary vampire loads.

While this information is public knowledge, it's not exactly something utility companies and the government are running around "educating" us on. They'll give it to you, but only if you ask for it.

The same thing occurs with your local utility company. If you don't ask for an energy audit and information about your rates, they won't volunteer it.

According to a recent government study, some of the worst vampire offenders are:

• Set-Top Box for DVRs, etc.
• Television
• Laptop Computer
• Audio Systems
• Heater
• Printer
• Scanner
• Desktop Computer
• CD Player
• DVD Player
• Cordless Telephones
• Modems
• Fax Machines
• Stereo
• Surge Protectors
• Microwave Oven

(Typical costs for operating appliances, based on a total cost of 13 1/2 cents per kWh)

Refrigeration:

• 8 cu ft frost free freezer -- .32 cents per day -- $9.60 per month -- $115.20 per year
• 16 cu ft frost free freezer -- .58 cents per day -- $17.40 per month -- $208.80 per year
• 22 cu ft frost free freezer -- .73 cents per day -- $21.90 per month -- $262.80 per year
• 18 cu ft frost free refrigerator/freezer -- .66 cents per day -- $19.80 per month -- $237.60 per year

• 24 cu ft frost free refrigerator/freezer -- .73 cents per day -- $21.90 per month -- $262.80 per year

Laundry:

• Clothes Dryer -- .40 cents per load
• Clothes Washer (auto) Hot wash/cold rinse -- .33 cents per load
• Clothes Washer (auto) Warm wash/cold rinse -- .18 cents per load

• Clothes Washer (auto) Cold wash/cold rinse -- .09 cents per load

Other Appliances:

• Dishwasher -- .40 cents per load
• Hot Water Heater (electric) -- Family of 2 = .80 cents per day (Each additional person .27 cents per day) -- $24.00 per month -- $288.00 per year)
• Oven -- .33 1/2 cents per hour
• Oven (on self cleaning) -- .41 cents per hour
• Microwave Oven -- .20 cents per hour
• Coffee Maker Brew Cycle -- .08 to .13 cents per hour
• Coffee Maker Warm Cycle -- .01 1/4 cents per hour
• Range-Top Burner -- .12 1/4 cents per hour
• Slow Cooker (Crock Pot) -- .02 3/4 cents per hour
• Toaster Oven (Baking) -- .19 cents per hour

To understand the true cost of keeping your home cool, you need to know about something called "Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER)."

In the United States, it is the law that the efficiency of air conditions is rated by SEER, so most newer (but not always) central air conditioning units, are supposed to have this information clearly stated.

It is important to note that SEER ratings ratings only apply to air conditioning, not to your heating systems. Central air conditioning units that have been installed since 2006 are now required to have at least a minimum SEER rating of 13.

Central Air Conditioning (Set at 78 degrees):

• 2 Ton SEER 8 -- .40 cents per hour -- $9.60 per day -- $288.00 per month
• 2 Ton SEER 10 -- .32 cents per hour -- $7.68 per day -- $230.40 per month
• 2 Ton SEER 12 -- .27 cents per hour -- $6.48 per day -- $194.40 per month
• 2 Ton SEER 14 -- .22 cents per hour -- $5.28 per day -- $158.40 per month
• 3 Ton SEER 8 -- .60 cents per hour -- $14.40 per day -- $432.00 per month
• 3 Ton SEER 10 -- .48 cents per hour -- $11.52 per day -- $345.60 per month
• 3 Ton SEER 12 -- .40 cents per hour -- $9.60 per day -- $288.00 per month
• 3 Ton SEER 14 -- .34 cents per hour -- $8.16 per day -- $244.80 per month
• 4 Ton SEER 8 -- .80 cents per hour -- $19.20 per day -- $576.00 per month
• 4 Ton SEER 10 -- .64 cents per hour -- $15.36 per day -- $460.80 per month
• 4 Ton SEER 12 -- .53 cents per hour --$12.72 per day -- $381.60 per month

• 4 Ton SEER 14 -- .45 cents per hour -- $10.80 per day -- $324.00 per month

Air Conditioning Room Air Units:

• 6,000 Btu EER 9 -- .09 cents per hour -- $2.16 per day -- $64.80 per month
• 12,000 Btu EER 9 -- .18 cents per hour -- $4,32 per day -- $129.60 per month

• 18,000 Btu EER 9 -- .27 cents per hour -- $6.48 per day -- $194.40 per month

Fans:

• Attic fans -- .04 cents per hour -- .96 cents per day -- $28.80 per month
• Portable fans -- .01 1/2 cents per hour -- .36 cents per day -- $10.80 per month
• Ceiling fans -- .02 1/4 cents per hour -- .54 cents per day -- $16.20 per month