There are unseen moochers lurking in your home. They quietly siphon off energy and add to your monthly bills. They are known as energy vampires. As long as they are plugged in, they contribute to your energy bill, often without you realizing it. These silent culprits can account for about 10% of the average home's total energy use. So, they can be a real strain on your wallet.
In this guide, we will ensure your hard-earned money isn't quietly slipping away into the pockets of these hidden energy thieves. By unplugging, replacing, and adopting standby power solutions, you can avoid excess charges on your monthly energy bill.
- What is an Energy Vampire?
- The Problem of Standby Power
- Identifying and Managing Vampire Appliances
- Standby Power Solution - EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug
- Centralizing Control with EVVR Center Lite
What is an Energy Vampire?
An energy vampire is an appliance that continues to consume power from electrical outlets even when it is turned off or in standby mode. Unlike the mythical blood-sucking vampires, these energy vampires won't drain your blood. They have the potential to greatly raise your energy use, raising your family's expenses.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
- An appliance that continuously draws only 1 watt of electrical current can generate 9 kWh per year.
This seemingly small 1-watt vampire power can add up to around $1 in annual costs. Multiply this by the various appliances in your home. Then, you will realize that you pay an additional $100 to $200 per year.
Electronics like TVs, chargers, and various devices with standby modes are common sources of vampire energy drain. The good news is that there are standby power solutions to combat this sneaky energy loss.
The Problem of Standby Power
Often, the issues of standby power are related to the problem of energy suckers or vampire appliances. Some appliances will keep consuming energy when they are not actively in use or turned on. That is when these problems will arise.
Many electrical devices feature a standby mode. They can create the deceptive illusion of being switched off while still silently draining energy. This standby power dilemma is a concern for both households and businesses. Despite appearances, appliances in standby mode continue to draw power. This will result in what is known as a vampire energy drain.
Standby consumption encompasses both residential and business settings globally. It makes up 2% of total electricity consumption and contributes to 1% of CO2 emissions. Although these percentages may appear minor at first glance, the real problem arises when power is not actively utilized; instead, it simply leaks away. It represents a significant and avoidable waste of resources.
To tackle the challenge of standby power, we must identify and understand vampire appliances. These devices lurk in the background and quietly sip power when not in use. The first step toward finding effective standby power solutions will be to recognize that "my house is draining my energy."
Identifying and Managing Vampire Appliances
To curb the draining energy issue in households, there is no better alternative to identifying and managing vampire appliances, or energy suckers. These sneaky devices consume power even when seemingly turned off. They contribute to standby power and increasing energy bills.
If you suspect that your house is draining your energy, there are practical steps you can take to identify and manage these culprits.
Conduct a Usage Log:
Keep track of the hours per day each appliance runs. This can be estimated based on your daily activities. Alternatively, you can maintain a log for certain devices like the microwave, computer, television, or lights. Understanding usage patterns is the first step in identifying potential energy vampires.
Determine Wattage:
Find the wattage of each appliance. Usually, this information is available on the product label or in the user manual. You can calculate energy consumption accurately by knowing the wattage of the appliances.
Calculate Daily Energy Consumption:
Measure how much energy is drained by each appliance daily by using the following formula:
(Wattage × Hours Used Per Day) ÷ 1000 = Daily energy consumption in Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
The result of this formula will indicate the amount of energy an appliance consumes daily.
Find Annual Energy Consumption:
Multiply the daily kWh consumption by the number of days the appliance is used per year. This gives the annual energy consumption for each device.
Assess Annual Cost:
After finding the energy consumption per year, multiply it by the utility rate per kWh. This will give you the annual cost of using an appliance. This approach quantifies the financial impact of each energy vampire on your utility bills. The formula is as below.
Energy consumption per year × utility rate per kWh = Total cost per year to run appliance
Standby Power Solution - EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug
You may look for a standby power solution to combat energy vampires. At the same time, you may want to have control over your household's energy consumption. Both are possible with the EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug. This innovative device can manage and monitor various accessories efficiently.
The EVVR Smart Plug accommodates both 2-core and 3-core cables. Therefore, it supports currents up to 16 amps at 85 to 245 volts. This universal capability makes it an ideal solution for tackling the energy vampires lurking in your home.
You may need to reach into tight spaces or crawl under obstacles to control some accessories. That won't be necessary when you have the EVVR Smart Plug. It allows you to manage and monitor energy vampires through the EVVR App. With a simple tap on your smartphone, you can effortlessly adjust standby power and control almost all vampire appliances.
In addition to convenience, the EVVR Smart Plug is a powerful tool for controlling energy consumption. The EVVR App provides real-time information about the energy usage of your accessories. So, you can identify and manage those vampire appliances that contribute to standby power and draining energy.
The accessibility features of the EVVR Smart Plug go beyond convenience. It can manage almost 80% of plugged-in accessories. Therefore, almost anyone can control the energy usage of different appliances, even those with physical disabilities.
In a nutshell, the EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug is a versatile standby power solution to combat energy vampires and enhance energy efficiency.
Centralizing Control with EVVR Center Lite
Experience centralized control like never before with the EVVR Center Lite. It goes beyond the capabilities of traditional energy monitoring systems. This intelligent device offers several benefits to effectively handle energy consumption and reduce utility bills.
Effortless Reboots:
Some devices may consume more energy occasionally, but this tendency reduces after reboots. The EVVR Center Lite allows you to remotely reboot those devices using the EVVR App, HomeKit, or the built-in button. Without frequent physical interventions, this ensures optimal functionality.
Remote Control Convenience:
Enjoy a new level of remote control convenience. In addition to remote reboots, you can manage connected devices effortlessly with the EVVR Center Lite. You can also regulate the standby power. Take control of your appliances, whether you are in another room or away from home.
Automatic Schedule for Rebooting:
Connect the EVVR Smart Plug, the router, and the EVVR Center Lite, and you can set automation rules to schedule reboots for energy vampires. You can set rules to run them for a limited time in a day. At the end of the month, analyze their energy usage and customize the automation rules accordingly. This is an excellent way to save energy from energy vampires.
Energy Monitoring Precision:
With 99% accuracy, you can track your plugged-in devices' hourly energy consumption using the EVVR Center Lite. This includes the sneaky energy suckers that require frequent monitoring. Gain valuable insights into power usage patterns and optimize energy efficiency effectively.
Plug and Play Simplicity:
It is very easy to set up the EVVR Center Lite. Regardless of your technical background, you can effortlessly integrate this smart hub into your home. No extensive wiring knowledge is required – just plug in and enjoy the benefits of centralized control. Pair the EVVR Center Lite with the EVVR Smart Plug and Smart In-Wall Relay Switch to gain extensive control.
Space-Saving Efficiency:
The EVVR Center Lite has a compact design. Additionally, it comes with a 90-degree angle extension cord. This duo contributes to a clutter-free environment. You can manage and access all your home devices in a controlled manner for its thoughtful design. So, you can pair more energy-saving tools with EVVR Center Lite and tackle energy vampires with unprecedented ease.
In Closing
You can defeat energy vampires by identifying and managing power-consuming appliances. This way, you can significantly reduce your monthly utility bills. In this case, monitoring the energy usage of these silent culprits in real-time will give you a competitive edge. That is where EVVR products like the EVVR Center Lite and EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug come into play.
Contact us today to explore how integrating EVVR products into your home can lead to lower utility bills. We will help you create a mindful and eco-friendly living environment.
