Energy Vampires are raising our electric bills this Halloween
(Image credit: Twitter)
Electricity – something we all take for granted until the power goes out. The monthly electric bill – something we all complain about, but many of us aren’t aware of the hidden costs and how we can combat them. In a shocking revelation just in time for Halloween, Solar Compare – “the online platform that helps homeowners buy solar better” – has uncovered the terrifying truth about “vampire energy” – the silent horror haunting our electricity bills.
A nationwide analysis of energy consumption has exposed the Sunshine State as the seventh-highest victim of these phantom power drains, with Florida households facing some of the steepest vampire energy costs in the nation! Solar Compare also identifies and ranks the vampire energy costs for every state in the U.S. from highest to lowest.
What Are Energy Vampires? Before we dive into the haunting details, let’s shed some light on these elusive energy suckers. Energy vampires, also known as phantom loads or standby power, are electronics and appliances that continue to draw power even when they’re turned off or in standby mode. These sneaky devices silently drain electricity, inflating our energy bills without us even realizing it.
How much are Vampire devices costing Florida?
- Average Florida electricity bill: A spine-chilling $2,232.00 per year
- Average vampire energy wastage per household: A horrifying $368.28 annually
- Florida’s rank in vampire energy costs: #7 in the nation
- Total number of households in Florida: 10,257,553
- Total vampire energy cost to Florida: A staggering $3,777,651,618.84 per year
Tehbyn Nova, CMO & Energy Saving Expert at Solar Compare says: “Florida’s energy landscape is unique, with its high cooling demands due to the tropical climate and growing population. Despite the state’s efforts in energy efficiency, the impact of vampire energy is still substantial for Florida households, ranking seventh in the nation for per-household costs.
Using the U.S. Department of Energy’s suggestion that vampire energy can account for up to 10% of your electricity bill, and the NRDC study indicating it could reach nearly 23%, we’ve used a middle ground of 16.5% for our calculations. This means vampire energy could be costing the average Florida household about $368 annually – the seventh-highest in the nation. When we multiply this by the number of households in Florida, we see a staggering total cost of over $3.7 billion per year to the state’s economy.
As Florida continues to embrace renewable energy sources like solar power, addressing vampire energy becomes increasingly important. Taking action now to combat vampire energy could lead to significant savings for residents and the state as a whole, potentially keeping over $3.7 billion in the pockets of Florida residents each year.”
Vampire Energy Costs by State (Ranked from Highest to Lowest)
| Rank | State | Annual Electricity Bill | Vampire Energy Cost | Households | Vampire Energy Cost to State |
| 1 | Hawaii | $2,448.00 | $403.92 | 568058 | $229,449,987.36 |
| 2 | Alabama | $2,424.00 | $399.96 | 2339582 | $935,739,216.72 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $2,304.00 | $380.16 | 1540292 | $585,557,406.72 |
| 4 | Louisiana | $2,304.00 | $380.16 | 2113178 | $803,345,748.48 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $2,244.00 | $370.26 | 648571 | $240,139,898.46 |
| 6 | Texas | $2,233.00 | $368.45 | 12135376 | $4,471,279,287.20 |
| 7 | Florida | $2,232.00 | $368.28 | 10257553 | $3,777,651,618.84 |
| 8 | South Carolina | $2,172.00 | $358.38 | 2446680 | $876,841,178.40 |
| 9 | Georgia | $2,136.00 | $352.44 | 4539156 | $1,599,780,140.64 |
| 10 | Mississippi | $2,100.00 | $346.50 | 1342764 | $465,267,726.00 |
| 11 | Oklahoma | $2,076.00 | $342.54 | 1776732 | $608,601,779.28 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $2,052.00 | $338.58 | 861686 | $291,749,645.88 |
| 13 | Arkansas | $1,980.00 | $326.70 | 1395735 | $455,986,624.50 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $1,968.00 | $324.72 | 3144583 | $1,021,108,991.76 |
| 15 | Maine | $1,968.00 | $324.72 | 751697 | $244,091,049.84 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $1,956.00 | $322.74 | 2023679 | $653,122,160.46 |
| 17 | Virginia | $1,896.00 | $312.84 | 3685233 | $1,152,888,291.72 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $1,896.00 | $312.84 | 3036303 | $949,877,030.52 |
| 19 | Indiana | $1,872.00 | $308.88 | 2977176 | $919,590,122.88 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $1,836.00 | $302.94 | 408009 | $123,602,246.46 |
| 21 | Delaware | $1,836.00 | $302.94 | 465804 | $141,110,663.76 |
| 22 | Arizona | $1,824.00 | $300.96 | 3186554 | $959,025,291.84 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $1,800.00 | $297.00 | 377722 | $112,183,434.00 |
| 24 | Alaska | $1,788.00 | $295.02 | 329160 | $97,108,783.20 |
| 25 | Missouri | $1,776.00 | $293.04 | 2826295 | $828,217,486.80 |
| 26 | Kansas | $1,764.00 | $291.06 | 1292571 | $376,215,715.26 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $1,764.00 | $291.06 | 4892627 | $1,424,048,014.62 |
| 28 | Maryland | $1,752.00 | $289.08 | 2559057 | $739,772,197.56 |
| 29 | California | $1,740.00 | $287.10 | 14627041 | $4,199,423,471.10 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $1,728.00 | $285.12 | 5815191 | $1,658,027,257.92 |
| 31 | Rhode Island | $1,704.00 | $281.16 | 486017 | $136,648,539.72 |
| 32 | Nevada | $1,692.00 | $279.18 | 1328788 | $370,971,033.84 |
| 33 | Vermont | $1,644.00 | $271.26 | 338998 | $91,956,597.48 |
| 34 | Michigan | $1,560.00 | $257.40 | 4605363 | $1,185,420,436.20 |
| 35 | Iowa | $1,548.00 | $255.42 | 1438456 | $367,410,431.52 |
| 36 | Idaho | $1,536.00 | $253.44 | 796968 | $201,983,569.92 |
| 37 | Ohio | $1,536.00 | $253.44 | 5293227 | $1,341,515,450.88 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $1,524.00 | $251.46 | 863831 | $217,218,943.26 |
| 39 | New York | $1,512.00 | $249.48 | 8585784 | $2,141,981,392.32 |
| 40 | Montana | $1,500.00 | $247.50 | 529167 | $130,968,832.50 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $1,476.00 | $243.54 | 2770355 | $674,692,256.70 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $1,476.00 | $243.54 | 2547867 | $620,507,529.18 |
| 43 | New Jersey | $1,464.00 | $241.56 | 3785097 | $914,328,031.32 |
| 44 | Illinois | $1,464.00 | $241.56 | 5452461 | $1,317,096,479.16 |
| 45 | Wyoming | $1,428.00 | $235.62 | 277106 | $65,291,715.72 |
| 46 | Oregon | $1,404.00 | $231.66 | 1859349 | $430,736,789.34 |
| 47 | Washington | $1,368.00 | $225.72 | 3313479 | $747,918,479.88 |
| 48 | Colorado | $1,284.00 | $211.86 | 2590205 | $548,760,831.30 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $1,236.00 | $203.94 | 956743 | $195,118,167.42 |
| 50 | Utah | $1,152.00 | $190.08 | 1228707 | $233,552,626.56 |
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The Haunted Florida House: Where Phantom Devices Lurk: The study has uncovered the most haunted rooms in your home, where energy vampires are feasting on your hard-earned cash. Prepare yourself for a room-by-room tour of this house of horrors!
Living Room: A terrifying $117.34 wasted annually
- Audio mini system (Off): $9.25
- CD player (Off): $5.60
- DVD player (Off): $1.72
- 55″ 4K Ultra HD HDR Smart OLED TV: $22.08
- Set-top box, digital cable with DVR (Off by remote): $48.30
- Game console (Ready): $25.94
- Cordless phone with answering machine (Ready, handset): $4.45
Home Office: A chilling $58.76 drained yearly
- Computer speakers (Off): $1.99
- LCD computer display (Asleep): $1.53
- USB hub (Off): $1.60
- Laser printer (Off): $1.76
- Flatbed scanner (Off): $2.76
- Notebook computer (Asleep): $17.53
- Desktop computer (Asleep): $23.48
- Cable modem (On): $6.95
- Surge protector (On): $1.17
Basement: A spine-tingling $14.55 sucked away
- Musical instruments (Off): $3.13
- Portable stereo (Off): $1.84
- Amplifier (Off): $0.30
- Cordless power tool (Ready, charged): $9.27
Kitchen: A blood-curdling $6.84 consumed
- Interior night light (On for 12 hours): $2.48
- Clock (On): $1.93
- Coffee maker (Off): $1.27
- Charger, mobile phone (On, charged): $0.62
- Charger, mobile phone (On, charging): $0.34
- Power supply only (16 hours): $0.19
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The Most Voracious Energy Vampires
Beware these devices that are thirsting for your electricity! Here’s a rogues’ gallery of the most power-hungry appliances and their annual energy costs in various modes:
| Device and Mode | Annual Cost | Device and Mode | Annual Cost |
| Set-top box, digital cable with DVR – Not recording, TV on | $49.35 | Notebook computer – Power supply only | $4.91 |
| Set-top box, digital cable with DVR – Not recording, TV off | $49.60 | Audio receiver – On, not playing | $41.80 |
| Set-top box, digital cable with DVR – Off by remote | $48.30 | Audio receiver – Off | $3.25 |
| Desktop computer – On, idle | $82.21 | Game console – Active | $29.99 |
| Desktop computer – Asleep | $23.48 | Game console – Ready | $25.94 |
| Desktop computer – Off | $3.16 | Game console – Off | $1.12 |
| Set-top box, satellite with DVR – Not recording, TV on | $34.87 | Set-top box, satellite – On, TV on | $17.95 |
| Set-top box, satellite with DVR – Not recording, TV off | $31.51 | Set-top box, satellite – On, TV off | $17.73 |
| Set-top box, satellite with DVR – Off by remote | $30.90 | Set-top box, satellite – Off by remote | $17.40 |
| Amplifier – On, playing | $43.52 | Set-top box, satellite – Off by switch | $17.19 |
| Amplifier – On, not playing | $37.78 | Cordless power tool – Active | $32.82 |
| Amplifier – Off | $0.30 | Cordless power tool – Ready, charged | $9.27 |
| Set-top box, digital cable – On, TV on | $32.94 | Cordless power tool – Ready | $1.93 |
| Set-top box, digital cable – On, TV off | $27.40 | Subwoofer – On, playing | $13.80 |
| Set-top box, digital cable – Off by remote | $19.82 | Subwoofer – On, not playing | $11.89 |
| Set-top box, digital cable – Off by switch | $19.45 | LCD computer display – On | $30.69 |
| Notebook computer – Fully on, charging | $49.21 | LCD computer display – Asleep | $1.53 |
| Notebook computer – Fully on, charged | $32.76 | LCD computer display – Off | $1.26 |
| Notebook computer – Asleep | $17.53 | CD player – On, playing | $11.01 |
| Notebook computer – Off | $9.89 | CD player – On, not playing | $9.50 |
| DVD player – On, not playing | $8.38 | CD player – Off | $5.60 |
| DVD player – Off | $1.72 | DVD player – On, playing | $11.01 |
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How can we slay these Energy Vampires?
Tehbyn Nova, CMO & Energy Saving Expert at Solar Compare, offers these silver bullets to ward off the vampire energy menace:
“Energy vampires are a real and present danger to American wallets,” warns Nova. “But fear not! There are several ways to drive a stake through the heart of these power-sucking fiends.”
- Unplug the Undead: “The simplest way to stop vampire energy is to unplug devices when not in use. It’s like garlic to these energy suckers!” Nova emphasizes that this straightforward action can have a significant impact. Many devices, from phone chargers to kitchen appliances, continue to draw power even when they’re not actively being used. By physically disconnecting these devices from their power source, you eliminate any possibility of vampire energy drain. While it may seem inconvenient, the savings can add up quickly, especially for devices that are used infrequently.
- Invest in Smart Power Strips: “These are like holy water for your electronics. They automatically cut power to devices in standby mode.” Smart power strips are a technological solution to the vampire energy problem. Nova explains that these devices can detect when an appliance is in standby mode and automatically cut the power supply. This is particularly useful for entertainment centers or home office setups where multiple devices are connected. By investing in smart power strips, you can effortlessly reduce your energy consumption without having to remember to unplug each device manually.
- Upgrade to Energy Star: “Think of Energy Star appliances as vampire hunters. They’re designed to minimize standby power consumption.” Energy Star is a government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. Nova points out that Energy Star certified products are specifically designed to consume less power, both during active use and in standby mode. By choosing these appliances, you’re not only reducing your vampire energy consumption but also lowering your overall energy usage. While there might be an upfront cost to upgrading, the long-term savings on your energy bill can be substantial.
- Perform an Energy Audit: “Consider this your vampire detection kit. Use a watt meter to identify which devices are the worst offenders.” An energy audit, Nova explains, is crucial for understanding your home’s specific energy consumption patterns. By using a watt meter, you can measure the exact amount of power each device is using, even when it’s supposedly “off.” This knowledge allows you to prioritize which devices need to be unplugged or connected to smart power strips. It’s an evidence-based approach to tackling vampire energy, ensuring that your efforts are focused where they’ll have the most impact.
- Educate Your Household: “Knowledge is power! Make sure everyone in your home knows about these energy vampires and how to combat them.” Nova stresses the importance of making energy conservation a team effort. By educating all members of your household about vampire energy and how to combat it, you create a culture of energy awareness. This might involve teaching children to unplug their gaming consoles when not in use or reminding adults to use smart power strips. When everyone is on board, the collective impact on your energy consumption – and your bills – can be significant.
Tehbyn concludes, “By implementing these strategies, the average Florida household could save $368 a year on their electricity bill. Collectively, this could mean saving over $3.7 billion across the state – that’s enough for a truly spooktacular Halloween celebration for every Floridian! More importantly, it’s a significant step towards supporting Florida’s energy efficiency goals and strengthening the local economy. Remember, when it comes to vampire energy in Florida, a little Sunshine State ingenuity goes a long way in keeping these power-draining devices at bay. Let’s work together to keep our energy consumption low and our wallets full, ensuring we have more to enjoy the beautiful beaches and vibrant lifestyle that Florida is famous for!”
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Methodology: Average Monthly Electricity Cost = (Number of Electricity Customers * Average Monthly Consumption * Average Retail Price of Electricity) / Number of Housing Units
Sources: Solar Compare with data gleaned from the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Energy Information Administration, standby.lbl.gov Vampire Energy Percentage Calculation: The U.S. Department of Energy, NRDC
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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