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Reduce Always-On Electricity

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Home Energy

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Devices like phone chargers, computer cords, gaming consoles, DVRs, TVs, and even coffee pots each draw small amounts of power when off. These are what we call “energy vampires.” Together, these devices can add up to as much as 20-25% of your monthly electricity bill in this ‘standby mode’, according to Sense Energy Monitors. Try to unplug electronics when not in use, use on/off power strips, and use smart technologies that can help with your energy usage.

To learn more, click “Steps To Take” and “Deep Dive” on the tabs above.

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. Put clusters of devices that are usually used together on smart power strips (you get 2 free smart power strips with a free MassSave home consultation!). Use the switch to turn the devices on only when you use them (e.g., TV+DVD+cable box or computer+monitor+printer).
  3. Unplug smartphone and other electronics chargers when not in use or use a plugin on/off switch to cut off power when not in use.
  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.

Deep Dive

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!

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. Kill A Watt is a common brand. 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, one remote, or a motion sensor. Smart power strips can leave a device on standby mode but keep the other devices completely off. We also suggesting buying ENERGY STAR products, which have been designed to waste less energy in standby mode. 

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