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What are Vampire Loads?

Friday | January 25, 2019
All News

The desktop computer in your office. The living room TV and gaming console in standby or rest mode. Even the cell phone charger you keep plugged in throughout the day. All of these items are responsible for contributing to your “vampire load,” also known as the “phantom load.” Vampire loads come from devices that use electricity even when they appear to be off. These loads are approaching 10 percent of the average household electric use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Electronics and appliances in standby or rest modes require a little electricity to maintain minimal function of the device so it’s ready to go when you return to using it. The primary culprits are televisions, desktop computers and, particularly, gaming consoles which can use as much electricity as a refrigerator even when not in use thanks to frequent system updates. Chargers are another contributor to the phantom load. A single charger might not be a drain on your bill, but in an increasingly plugged in world, the impact can begin to add up. 

So how can you limit your vampire loads? The obvious solution is to simply unplug devices when not in use and disabling auto-update features that draw power when in rest mode. If you want a limited impact on your daily routine, consider investing in smart power strips. These devices can usually connect to your phone through WiFi or Bluetooth so you can turn them off and on automatically. Many of them even come with surge protection to keep your devices safe during storms or other events that may cause a surge. 

In the digital, connected age, these vampire, or phantom, loads can become a real problem. A little investment and some small changes can end up saving you on your bill. For more energy efficiency information, check out My Energy.

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United Power
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, CO 80603

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©2023 United Power. Your Local Electric Cooperative.

  • My Cooperative
    • Your Cooperative
      • About Your Cooperative
      • Innovating Energy
      • Board Of Directors
      • Cooperative Leadership
      • From Your President & CEO
      • Our Cooperative Roadmap
      • Bylaws, Rates & Tariffs
    • Member Benefits
      • Annual Meeting & Director Election
      • Capital Credits
      • Member Discount Program
      • Member Choice Grants
  • My Account
    • Payments & Billing
      • Online Account Services
      • Payment & Billing Options
      • Update Your Account
      • Understanding Your Bill
      • Understanding Demand
      • Power Portal
      • Billing Assistance
    • Start, Stop or Transfer
      • Start or Transfer Service
      • Deposits & Fees
      • Member Handbook
      • Stop Service
  • New Construction
    • Construction Projects
    • New Construction Application
    • Contact A Project Coordinator
  • Outage & Safety
    • Outages
      • Outage Center
      • Report An Outage
      • Outage Map
      • Report Streetlight Problem
    • Safety
      • Public Safety Demonstrations
      • Fire Mitigation
      • Vegetation Management
      • Dig Safe, Plant Safe
      • Portable Generators
      • Safety Tips & Resources
  • Energy Programs
    • Programs
      • Managing My Energy
      • Rebates & Programs
      • Power Portal
      • Commercial Programs & Services
    • Energy Options
      • Residential Rates
      • Going Solar
      • Electric Vehicles
      • Smart Rewards
      • Green Power Partners
  • News & Community
    • Co-op News
      • Recent News
      • United Newsline
      • United Power Pride
      • Reader Rewards
      • Annual Reports
      • Media Contacts
    • My Community
      • Get Involved
      • Scholarships
      • Youth Trips
      • Operation Round Up
      • Member Choice Grants
      • Sponsorships