Well, vampire voltage, that is, which is the term scientists use to describe electricity that is being "sucked in" by appliances plugged into outlets but that are unused on a regular basis, if at all.
I became aware of this phenomenon after watching a show on The History Channel last Sunday called Six Degrees. Even though an appliance isn’t in use, it is still pulling juice from household wiring, and an unused toaster can account for approximately $60 a year on a household utility bill. I walked around my house after the show and discovered a stereo, a TV in the guest room, a radio/CD player, and an old PC and printer that had not been used in months. I can use the $300 for other things. I therefore killed the vampire voltage.
It is estimated that if everyone in the United States unplugged neglected appliances, fifteen coal plants could be shut down, thus preventing several billion tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.
It’s the least we can do at the grassroots level, right? If the earth's temperature rises only two degrees in the next ten years, we may be at a point of no return. That's not much time.
Picture: Public Domain
I became aware of this phenomenon after watching a show on The History Channel last Sunday called Six Degrees. Even though an appliance isn’t in use, it is still pulling juice from household wiring, and an unused toaster can account for approximately $60 a year on a household utility bill. I walked around my house after the show and discovered a stereo, a TV in the guest room, a radio/CD player, and an old PC and printer that had not been used in months. I can use the $300 for other things. I therefore killed the vampire voltage.
It is estimated that if everyone in the United States unplugged neglected appliances, fifteen coal plants could be shut down, thus preventing several billion tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.
It’s the least we can do at the grassroots level, right? If the earth's temperature rises only two degrees in the next ten years, we may be at a point of no return. That's not much time.
Picture: Public Domain
13 comments:
I had no idea about this. I've got a lot of unplugging to do. Thanks:-)
Lane, you're welcome. It really surprised me too!
G'day Billy,
Familiar with the concept, practise it at home, but I love the phrase `vampire voltage'.
Thanks for joining the Loony Limerick contest, too!
Yeh you not only save the environment but also a lot of money over the years. Yep I am Dutch
Hi David. Thanks for stopping by. The contest looks fun, regardless of who wins!
Marja, I have no problem with saving money while I help the environment -:) Thanks for checking in!
Hi
We have had that campaign going on for several years in Sweden + all apparatuses in everyday use that is on "stand by", we close them, when not using them.
Happy Valentines Day!
anna-lys, happy valentines day. Welcome, and thanks for stopping by. Glad to hear Sweden is ahead of the curve on conservation. You have a great blog, btw. Very eclectic.
My husband and I started unplugging a couple of years ago, after reading this in Al Gore's book. Scary stuff.
With the addition of CFL's, our electricity bill has really gone down. It's amazing how much these small things can add up.
I like this different side of you, Billy! And thanks for the link. :)
Sarah, I just realized today that I forgot to link you to this blog as well and so added it. My brain cells are going -:) This is my off-the-wall blog, mostly goofy but sometimes serious. Glad you like it. It's a case of the ole "I'm not schizophrenic--neither one of me!"
Thank You Billy for linking me and Your nice comment - I find Your blog interesting, and will take a journey :-)
I will put You under my Dar-Links, so I find my way back here!
You're welcome, anna-lys. Fell free to browse. The coffee is on the table ... somewhere -:)
Hi Billy, we meet again under my other name.
It's amazing isn't it how much you have plugged in in a house. Somehow, as I work in a boarding school, unplugging stuff in your own house does not a lot if you compare it with such a school and other large companies where they don't even bother to switch the lights and/or heating off at night. Nevertheless, I keep doing so and try my hardest to be earth friendly.
:-)
Monique, you are to be commended. I hadn't thought of how many "vampire volts" are wasted by companies. Wow. Think of the energy we could save ... and the carbon emissions. Excellent point.
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