Unplug These ‘Energy Vampires’ to Avoid Energy Waste and Save on Utility Bills

Computer equipment uses a lot of energy. Kieran Stone/Getty Images

Did you know there are more ways to save on energy bills than to shift to energy-efficient or ENERGY STAR-rated appliances? It will involve a little effort because you will need to unplug electronics from your house to save money. Devices like your TV, computer, printer or coffee maker siphon some energy even in standby mode. As long as they're plugged in, they add to your energy bill.

We call these "energy vampires." You might not know it, but they are a very real strain on your wallet, increase your home's energy usage and will hamper your efforts to save money. The average home sees about 10% electricity of its total general usage go to energy vampires, meaning that it's electricity that simply does not need to be used for appliances. The Department of Energy estimates this to cost at least $100 to $200 a year, depending on where you're located.

Let's take a look through your home and find those energy vampires so you can unplug them, and replace them with newer models that are efficient and save you some energy and money. This will help avoid excess energy costs on your monthly utility bill and increase long-term savings on power. And if you're looking for more ways to save money on energy, you can also try methods to save on your heat bills this winter, one of which is to set your thermostat to an ideal temperature. You can also review Energy Assistance Programs that could help you save more.

Computer equipment

Do you have a desktop computer set up in your home? Whether it's for gaming, work or just browsing the internet, your big tower and all its accessories are likely sucking up lots of excess energy, even when they aren't in use.

According to data from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Standby Project, operated by the Department of Energy, a desktop computer can cost more than $23 per year to keep plugged in and operating in standby mode. The monitor adds another $1.53 per year on average, and the modem or router contributes nearly $7 per year.

It doesn't sound like a lot on its own, but it's not hard to see how fast it adds up. Even a basic computer setup could cost more than $30 per year, and that's just a single machine. Your house is full of electronics that are guilty of the same energy-vampire activity.

The Best Energy-Saving Smart Home Gadgets to Help You Save on Utility Bills: See at Cnet

Televisions and set-top boxes

Another major energy eater is sitting in your living room. Televisions can cost more than $20 per year in excess energy use if they remain plugged in while turned off. LEDs tend to be more energy-efficient than LCDs or plasmas if you're looking to keep your costs down.

Even worse is the set-top box that you use to watch all your favorite shows. Digital cable boxes like the kind your cable company provides are likely to cost you nearly $50 per year if you keep them plugged in at all times. Other set-top boxes like Apple TV tend to be a little more energy-conscious. If you have cable, you'll have a hard time escaping that energy-sucking box.

Speakers and sound systems

Speaking of entertainment, if you have a home stereo system, it's probably consuming a whole lot of energy. Audio systems can eat up nearly $10 per year when they stay plugged in, and audio input devices like CD players or record players can add another $5 or more. Subwoofers and audio receivers tend to suck up lots of energy when they aren't in use, too, so consider unplugging your audio setup when you aren't jamming out.

How to identify common energy vampires in your home

While some devices and appliances are more efficient than others, there are a couple of things to keep an eye out for if you don't want one that'll suck up lots of excess energy.

Any device with an external power supply is likely using more energy than you'd expect, even while turned off. Likewise, devices that use a remote control are often energy vampires because they are always on and waiting for input. Anything that has a continuous display -- the clock on your microwave or a screensaver on your TV or computer, for instance -- is always using energy, too.

Take a look around your home for these devices and decide if they really need to be plugged in at all times. There is a convenience factor at play, but the additional step of plugging and unplugging appliances could save you quite a bit of money over time. Plus, it's good for the planet, and it could use every little bit of help that you can provide.

Here Are 23 Ways to Save On Your Electric Bills Right Now

You've probably noticed that your gas and electric bills have been more costly than usual this year. In fact, the EIA estimates the Northeast regions could see a $100 increase in wholesale electricity over last year. And other regions across the country are seeing rising prices too. If you're looking for ways to cut down on utility costs, there are plenty of simple measures you can take to lower your energy bills from turning off the lights to doing laundry the cost-efficient way. Here are the top 23 ways to start saving now.

Dishwashers may use electricity, but they save more energy, money, water and time than washing dishes by hand.According to the California Energy Commission, using an Energy Star-qualified dishwasher instead of hand washing can save you 5,000 gallons of water and $40 in utility costs each year, on average, not to mention 230 hours of your time.

Opt out of the heat-dry cycle on your dishwasher. Instead, crack open the door and let your dishes air-dry. If your dishwasher has an air-dry option, use that instead of heat-dry. Air drying plates can reduce your dishwasher's energy use by 15% to 50%, according to the California Energy Commission.

These dishwasher tips won't save electricity if you have to repeat loads because the dishes just won't get clean. That's why you need to make sure to load the dishes correctly.For example, you should place plates in the bottom rack, bowls on the top rack and cups upside-down. Pots and other large items should be washed separately.

If you live in an area of the world where the summers are hot, turn on your ceiling fans instead of touching the thermostat. Using a ceiling fan can make a room feel 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler, and a fan uses 10% of the energy that a central air conditioner does, according to the US Natural Resource Defense Council.

If you haven't switched to LED lighting, now is the time. The US Department of Energy says that LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy -- and last 25 times longer -- than incandescent lighting. That equals a lot of savings over time.

If you're constantly following family members from room to room and turning off lights behind them, a little automation can save you time and money. One solution could be motion detectors, like GE's LED Plus lineup or Ring's smart outdoor lights. They turn on when they sense someone's in the room and turn off when no movement is detected.

According to the California Energy Commission, if you turn off the burner early, the stove will release enough heat to finish up whatever you're cooking and save electricity. This tip works for most dishes, though there are a few exceptions.

Every time you open an oven door while cooking, the internal temperature can drop 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The oven then has to use more electricity to bring the temperature back up. To save electricity, peek through the window and rely on the oven's light instead of opening the door.

Dimming your lights reduces wattage and output, which helps save energy, according to the US Department of Energy. Some dimmer switches can be controlled by an app, like the Lutron Caseta In-Wall Wireless Smart Lighting Kit, giving you even more ways to adjust your lights and save electricity from wherever you are.Be sure to get bulbs that work with dimmer switches, though.

You may think that your electronics and appliances are energy-efficient, but you might be using more electricity than you think.The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini is a gadget that plugs into your wall; you can schedule it to turn your electronic devices on and off automatically.

Putting your electronics on standby saves more money than leaving them on 24/7, but it still uses a substantial amount of electricity. According to the US Department of Energy, electronics on standby account for 10% or more of your electricity bill.

One of the best ways to control these power wasters is by plugging them into a power strip or a smart outlet like the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip. Just switch the strip off or use the smart switch's app to turn off electricity guzzlers when you go to bed or you're not home.

Still have that thermostat from the 1970s? Switch it out with a programmable thermostat such as the Nest, Ecobee or Honeywell. According to the Alliance to Save Energy, switching to a programmable thermostat can save you save up to 10% on cooling and heating costs.Here's a list of the best thermostats you can get right now.

While you're considering a programmable thermostat, check your current thermostat's location. It could be on the wrong wall. Drafts, direct sunlight and other factors can trigger your AC or furnace to kick on when it doesn't need to. Here's the perfect place to put your thermostat.

The California Energy Commission says that dryers use approximately 6% of a home's total electricity usage. You can help your dryer work more efficiently by keeping it clean, and emptying the lint trap after each load is one of the most important things you can do to stop a dryer from working harder than necessary. Here's more on how to deep-clean your dryer and your dryer vent.

Start using cold water when you wash laundry. Why? Because 90% of the electricity used to wash a load goes toward heating the water, according to Consumer Reports. The Alliance to Save Energy also says washing clothes in cold water can save you $63 a year on electricity bills. Most detergents are designed to work better in cold water, anyway, so this is an easy swap to make.

Older appliances aren't as energy-efficient as they could be. For example, Energy Star estimates that a washer over 10 years old could cost you around $190, on average, per year.

Switch out your dryer while you're getting a washer. Your old dryer could be wasting 20% more energy than a newer, Energy Star-certified model.

Giving your clothes an extra spin in the washer can save up to half the drying time. Here are some more ways to save electricity on laundry day.

Switching to a 2.5-gallon-per-minute (low-flow) showerhead and taking a 10-minute shower not only saves you 5 gallons of water over taking a bath, it also saves up to $145 each year in electricity, according to Energy Star.

The air ducts in your home could be costing you big bucks. Ducts with holes, clogs and leaks can lose around 20% of the HVAC's efficiency. Have your ducts looked at by a professional if you have any of these problems.

You may not be able to convert your whole home to solar power, but there are a bunch of small ways you can incorporate it into your life. Here are other small ways you can go solar.For more information, check out the best energy-saving devices to keep your utility bills down.