I thought it might be useful to start a thread dedicated to listing various vampire electrical loads. What prompted me to do this was some of the more unusual ones I've heard mentioned and some I've discovered myself. (Someone mentioned 15W or so for their HVAC system when idle recently.) I'm going to list a few I have that I don't typically see mentioned in discussions of vampire loads. 1. Garage door openers (edited): a. 3W for 1/3 hp opener. I've installed CFL's in this one since the lights are on for 5 minutes after each use. b. 5.75 W for 1/2 hp opener. Unfortunately, still haven't found a CFL that fits the recessed sockets. 2. Paper shredder: ~4W This is one is really egregious since there is no reason to be wasting power on it other than when in use. So I unplugged the transformer from the wall. (Remember, unplugging the power jack from the device won't kill the vampire load, you must disconnect the transformer or put a switch in between the transformer and the wall to get rid of the vampire load.) 3. Sprinkler timer: 4W I only plug the transformer in when I plan to water (I never use the timer otherwise, primarily because of the constant ticking sound.) 4. Security system: 6W 5. 1996 vintage LED display "Nighthawk" CO detector: 3W; new 2009 LED plug-in Kidde "Nighthawk" CO detector runs 0.75W according to the manufacturer and as confirmed with a Kill-a-watt. 6. Electric piano keyboard: 3W 7. Cable TV Box (added): 15W! Okay, this one is mentioned a lot (unlike the original thrust of the thread), but it is an obscenely large power user when it is supposedly off, and everyone who has one and has measured the power draw complains about it. On or off, the power usage on mine is the same, it just turns off the display...how worthless. 131.4 kwh/year just for being plugged in. 8. Computer UPS: Small one ~6W, large one ~15W! I probably could get by with a second smaller UPS if I hadn't built a power hungry machine years ago. I probably need to rethink this arrangement.
Interesting. I'll have to check out the paper shredder tomorrow. We uninstalled our dead garage door opener and I've yet to install the new one I bought over a year ago. Our garage is a disaster and at the moment, we've hardly missed the door opener because we can't fit a car in there anyways.
I will add mine: 7) Doorbell transformer 8) TV or CATV line amplifier 9) Conventional Piano (with dehumidifier) - My hardest find. 10) Former Water Softener - Present water softener is a Kinetico (water powered!)
As long as we're talking about vampire killing, let's look at some of the wooden stakes in our arsenal. Here's one that I like. A single appliance or a standard power strip goes in to allow the shut off of one or many devices. These are great for those areas that are difficult to reach. In my case, the television, DVD player, and sound system which are plugged in behind the entertainment center. REMOTE CONTROL OUTLET 2 PACK 2 OUTLET REMOTE | Distributed BY MCM | BH9936-2
Another great power saver to put by your computer. Sut down your PC and all the accessories (except the laser printer) turn off so only the PC is on standby. all those wall transformers munch down a fair bit of juice. The main appliance (computer, TV) is attached to the 'master socket'. When power to the appliance to this socket is turned off or on, either manually or using a remote control - the other four 'slave' sockets are then turned off or on automatically. A sophisticated sensor circuit in the powerboard detects the level of current passing through the master socket and switches the slave sockets to the same status. This reduces the consumption of standby power used by computer peripherals and other equipment when not in use, saving energy and money. One additional power socket will operate continuously and independently. Features: Surge and overload protection Screw slot mounting Slimline design Spaced socket for transformer WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT LASER PRINTERS TO THE SLAVE OR MASTER SOCKET OF THIS POWERBOARD. Doing so may damage both the printer and the powerboard. However, it is fine to connect a laser printer to the normal outlet of the powerboard. If you wish to turn off a laser printer while it is not being used, please use the printers on/off switch from Origin eco store : 6 Outlet: Automatic Standby Energy Saving Powerboard : Jackson
Depending on what government agency you cite, phantom loads range from 4-12% of total energy demand in North America. That's insane, it's for nothing As far as computers, if I'm away more than half an hour, it gets turned off. I then use the UPS as a master switch
I'm not sure if folks really don't care about their utility bills. After all, seems you almost always hear folks pissing and moaning about how high their bills are. A lot of folks just get the bill, have their few moments of shock, and then pay it. When they see a power bill or a gas bill, they really have no idea what appliances or useage contributed to the bill Once you take away the big ticket items that everybody will think about - fridge, freezer, washing machine, etc - you have left a lot of small things that nobody thinks about Eg: a family with 1-3 computers. They always leave the machines because they can't bear to wait 2-3 minutes for everything to boot up. Or they believe old womans tales that it's *better* for a computer to stay on 24x7.
They whinge about it, but they really don't care. If they really cared they wouldn't leave every light on in the house... and they wouldn't leave the computers on 24/7. When I was in high school we had a French foreign exchange student come and live with us for a year. She was shocked at how we wasted tremendous amounts of electricity leaving lights on all the time. When you really pay out the nose for something, you don't waste it. In the end you probably actually pay less on your bill because you're efficiency is vastly improved and you don't piss away kWhs.
With regards to average consumer and electric bills: I think that most only care when the bill is higher than expected. Folks freak after extreme weather or if their utility's base fuel cost has shot up. Once accustomed to paying a given amount each month folks pay little heed...until that cost goes up unexpectedly. We all tend to remember the highest amount we've had to pay, but few can recount the actual energy usage (okay, those posting here tend to pay more attention to the quantity, but this is an extremely narrow and aware subset of the population.) People think of the big ticket items, but still tend to ignore lighting, which is one of the biggest uses that is easy to modify. CFL conversion is relatively cheap but the payback clobbers most other things (other than vampire killing)...if you can find bulbs/fixtures that fit the application. Take my home for example: the previous owner had some really nice CFL's in the garage, and a few fluorescent tube fixtures in the house and garage. They had the same appliances (or at least vintage) as I have had since I moved in--that's changing. They were using the same HVAC, and there were two of them vs. four of us. Yet they used 8,000 - 9,000 kWh a year more than we are on track for using this year (I was able to retrieve almost about 18 months of prior usages from the utility.) Over half of the difference was summertime AC use--they either liked it alot cooler, were having trouble with preponderance of non-CFL lighting adding a lot of heat, and/or they they weren't configuring the AC very well. In their defense, they had a scorching summer while our last one was mild (closer to previous decades normal averages) and the AC has needed some TLC. The other half must have been largely lighting differences. Their lowest cost months used ~330 kWh more than mine. My low was before winter hit and the 1 hp furnace blower jacked my base usage up--I've done several light fixture conversions since then even, so I expect a dip from that when spring hits. I suspect they ran the carriage lights and facade lights alot, and most of the fixtures in the house were not easy CFL conversions. I'm an amateur astronomer and light pollution is a sore spot for me, so I don't run outdoor lighting except when needed. If folks could easily associate each activity and alternatives with an annual cost, then they would be more likely to act in their own best financial interest. Few have the ability, knowledge, and tools to easily analyze their own usages. Fewer still have the ability to do the economic calculations to determine where the easiest, quickest paybacks are. And many aren't do-it-yourself types who can do much of the work themselves (saving a bundle.) The key to energy savings is to do the same basic activities, but much more efficiently. That doesn't mean freezing one's butt off in winter, or sweltering through summer.
Here is another cool tool to reduce power consumption Featuring a convenient foot activated power switch and a bright indicator light, this power board is ideal for under desk applications. You'll never have to crawl under the desk to toggle the power switch again! By switching off the powerboard, you save energy by making sure that no stand-by power is consumed by any of the devices connected to the powerboard when they are not in use. It also incorporates surge protection for mains line to protect connected computers, videos, entertainment, and audio equipment. An extra long lead and right angle power plug ensures it fits easily and neatly behind furniture. From, http://www.originecostore.com.au/4-Outlet-1-Foot-Switch-Powerboard-Surge-Protection/FSPB2100.htm
Well sure, but how much will I have to pay in outlet converters to plug my stuff into that thing? jk, of course.
My folks hosted a few foreign exchange students as well, once I was out of the house and in the Army. I guess my mom needed to care for somebody, and since my dad was pretty self-sufficient and the family pet wasn't cutting it, there you go Anyway, this Brazillian surfer dude was always going around the house flipping off lights, turning off the tv, etc. I'm sure he saved the folks a lot of money that way He *more* than made up for it in being a cold weather sissy. If they didn't keep the heat at around 76, with an extra heater in his room, he froze to death Hmmm, you tricky devil, you :hug: :eyebrows: Vaguely sinister, dirty old minds want to know more details
You also have those who worry about looking "cheap" to the outside world. If you should happen to look up "cranky cheap bastard" in the dictionary, my picture is there
I like the footsie switch, that's a neat idea I really like the right angle plugs, especially for extension cords. They're a lot neater and save a lot of strain on the plug For my computer loads, I use the UPS as a master switch
I'm sure we have some pretty serious vampires in our house...it's big and has some custom features like a water recirculator that runs constantly. But..and I'm sure I'll be the one being chased with the wooden stake now...I refuse to turn off every little thing. While lots of little 4W drains do add up, they don't add up to a lot. I'm sure my kids leaving the light on for a couple hours in a room they're not using does a lot worse. I LIKE having the little clock visible. I like having the TV come on right away and not having to go through the damn channel reprogram. I like all my presets being saved. We try to behave, my kids "save the polar bears" and try to remember to turn off lights. We do the CFL thing, there are insulation blankets on the water heaters, the thermostat is programmable and conservative, but not extreme. But some creature comforts are important to me and I just can't stand being without. Now, the paper shredder thing is interesting...can't imagine why it would use any juice at all...but we leave ours unplugged anyway since my daughter's fingers are small enough to fit neatly into the paper slot!
Well, if you have a sensitive enough clamp-on ammeter, like the industrial Fluke ones, and are not afraid of pulling the cover off the breaker box, check each breaker for load. The sum may surprise you As far as the paper shredder, I sense a tragedy in the making. Lock that thing up, pronto
I want them to stop putting digital clocks on everything, immediately. I bought a digital rabbit ear antenna to pull in the Detroit channels during superbowl. Canadian cable substitutes Canadian Tire commercials in place of all the good new ads, and I wanted to see them this year, for once. The darn thing comes with a digital clock for when you can't see the one on the cable box, or on the dvd, or on the stereo tuner. Why don't they make an entertainment cabinet with a master switch while we're at it? unnecessary power loss is everywhere, but I can't bring myself to go around plugging in and unplugging all my stuff, frankly.
