Monitor Your Electrical Usage

Summary: Watch out for energy vampires in your home.

Description

Did you know your home may be using electricity that you aren’t even aware of? You could have an energy vampire! An energy 'vampire' is a device that continues to use energy, even when it is turned off. Devices like phone chargers, computer cords, gaming consoles, DVRs, TVs, and even coffee pots each draw small amounts of power even when off. A National Resources Defence Council (NRDC) 2015 study showed this can account for approximately 23% of electrical usage for the average household. You can help minimize this electrical usage by using smart technologies in addition to being mindful of unplugging unused electronics. Cutting down on your electrical usage will reduce your carbon footprint and it will save you money. 

There are several ways to mind your electrical usage. Simple things like turning off lights when you leave a room are helpful. You can also unplug chargers or items when not in use, or connect multiple items to a single power strip. Monitoring  your individual outlets and appliances with an electricity usage monitor or your whole home usage with a whole home electricity monitor can help you to identify items that may be your energy wasters.   A variety of apps are also available to track your electrical usage if you are tech savvy. The Department of Energy even has a guide for monitoring home electrical usage and estimating costs. 

Ready to get started? Head over to the Steps to Take for the next steps, or our Deep Dive for more information.

Deep Dive

How can I measure my energy usage?

Measure electricity use with an electricity usage monitor. If you're not sure which of your electronics and appliances might be the energy wasters, you can measure their standby power consumption with an electricity usage monitor. These often plug right into an outlet. Kill A Watt is a common brand. Other brands include Baldr and Gardner Bender. You can then target specific devices that need to be turned off. 

What devices can I buy to help save energy?

We suggest using plugin on/off switches, power strips and surge protectors. These devices keep electronics at the ready, but truly powered off. For multiple devices in the same area like a TV, DVR, and cable box, they can be controlled together with one power strip with the flip of a switch, a remote, or a motion sensor. Smart power strips can leave a device on standby mode but keep the other devices completely off. Smart power strips may also be provided with a MassSave energy audit. We also suggest buying  ENERGY STAR products, which have been designed to waste less energy in standby mode. 

Brands like GE and Philips carry plugin on/off switches for outlets. Smart plugs include brands like Kasa, Globe, Energizer, and GE, among others. These brands often have power strips and surge protectors as well.

Where can I find more info about this?

If you want to see the electrical draw of all of your appliances, we particularly like the Sense Home Energy Monitor, which sends the information from your breaker panel directly to your smartphone, using only a set of sensors installed in the panel. Check out this page for the many ways  in which Sense users have been able to catch major power drains and failures, fix them, and save energy and money!

Steps to Take

1. Unplug devices that you use infrequently. For example, unplug old speakers, BlueRays, DVD players, VCRs, gaming devices, and landline chargers that you rarely use.  

2. Unplug smartphone and other electronics chargers when not in use. If unplugging is a hassle, a plugin on/off switch can make it more convenient.

3. Put clusters of devices that are usually used together on smart power strips. Use the switch to turn the devices on only when you use them (e.g., TV+DVD+cable box or computer+monitor+printer). 

4. Use an electricity usage monitor to locate devices that use a lot of standby power and keep them unplugged or on a smart power strip. These monitors are available for purchase online. 

5. Leave a testimonial! It may seem simple, but leaving an encouraging statement about your experience for others here in Franklin might help someone else to make a smart choice for their home and the planet.

For more information on the items listed above, visit the Deep Dive tab