Going Away These Holidays? Watch Out for Vampire Power
The summer holidays are the perfect time to embark on a getaway. We cannot wait to indulge in colourful fruit and vegetables, smell the aromas of barbeques, and spend time with family and friends near and far across some of the most incredible destinations in Aotearoa.
While you are away, one of the key things to be aware of back home is the notorious vampire power. It can make a rather impressive impact on your power bill.
What is Vampire Power?
Vampire power, also known as standby power, is the mode that your devices fall into when you are not using them. It means that they can be ready for you to use. For example, when you turn off the TV, it consumes a small amount of power to keep the remote control sensor on and ready to go. Another example is the power consumed when you keep your phone charger switched on at the wall, even when you aren’t using it. While it may seem like just a small amount of power, this can add up over time and be quite significant!
Devices and appliances that are generally affected include:
How Can I Combat Vampire Power?
You don’t want to be increasing your power consumption, and hiking up your energy bill when you are trying to look forward to, and enjoy your holiday. There are a few things you can do to combat that sneaky vampire power!
Turn Devices Off When Out of Town
Before you race out the door with your bags, be sure to turn off your devices and appliances at the wall. Turn off your TV, wifi router, heat pump, coffee machine, washing machine, computer, lamps and lights so that you can battle with that sneaky vampire power while you relax on holiday. These products just don’t need to be running while you’re away! Although, it is a good idea to keep your fridge and freezers plugged in and on while you’re gone to keep your food from spoiling.
Switch Off Devices Anyway!
Even when you are home, it’s a good idea to switch off devices and appliances when you aren’t using them. You don’t need to be consuming power when you aren’t using that device.
Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
If you have old appliances, they can consume a lot of energy. We would encourage you to consider upgrading that old washing machine, heater, fridge, and chest freezer to modern units that have high energy star ratings. While they may have a higher initial cost, they will save you a lot of money on your power bill in the long run. They will use a lot less energy to do their jobs, so that when they do fall into standby mode, it isn’t very significant. Consider swapping your old light bulbs to LEDs too, as these are a lot more energy efficient than their predecessors.
How Energy Efficient Appliances Save You Money
Switch Power Plan
You can save a lot of money on your power bill month-to-month by taking just a few minutes to compare power on Power Compare. Our user-friendly comparison platform makes it easy to compare different power plans and providers. You can select your preferences to filter out the best options available to you and compare them side-by-side, all in one place. Our comparison platform is bias-free, hassle-free and free to use. You can switch to a better plan in just minutes and save money in the short and long term. So go on, what are you waiting for? Save money on power so you can smile that little bit more this summer. You deserve it!
Further Reading: