This is a subject that really irks me because it is so overtly wasteful. It is shocking, shocking, how much energy is wasted while our house is seemingly ‘turned off.’

Some studies have claimed that vampire power accounts to, on average, 7-15% of our energy bills and, more alarmingly, results in $4 billion in lost electricity in the US alone. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that by 2010, standby power consumption will account for 20% of utility billst. Twenty percent!!! and here we are facing a mounting energy crisis.

You would think that when you leave the house turning off the heat, the fans, the tvs, the computers would be enough. We may think these items are turned off, many appliances when turned off simply revert to standby mode continuing to consume energy while in sleep mode. The ‘stand-by’ mode was introduced as a time saving option so we don’t have to be inconvenienced by long start up times. And chargers, even when no longer charging, continue to consume energy.

I have been trying to no avail to figure out how to turn off the clocks on my stove and microwave as I don’t need them on all of the time.

On an aside–why do my coffee maker, dvd player, stove and microwave even have clocks on them? Why? because it is a cheap add-on feature. I now leave the coffee maker unplugged, but have been defeated by the microwave and stove clocks–any suggestions???

But I digress, here are some tips to keep in mind if you are trying to save on your electric bill or to reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Put all of your chargers (phone, i-pod, digital camera, etc) on a power strip and turn the strip ‘off’ when not charging–power strips are also a great idea for computer accessories like printers and scanners that do not need to be on all of the time! Even if you are using your computer at the time. (check out these Smart Strip Power Strip or the WattStopper)

2. Shut down your computer at night–that old adage that it takes more energy to start up a computer than to leave it on is just not true.

3. Unplug electronics when not in use–this includes the alarm clock in your guest room, or even an infrequently used dvd player or television. Plug items in only when you plan to use them. That Plasma TV can end up costing you $160 a year in active standby mode! (Click here to see what other everyday appliances are costing you)

4. Unplug your rechargeable battery accessories when they are done charging. This includes your electric toothbrushes! (I just did went through my office and unplugged, 2 drills and 3 drummels that had been charging since I started working here-read: consuming unneccesary energy since 2000!!)

5. Reduce the number of appliances, gadgets and gizmos you own. Even cordless phones use energy when not in use. So consider cutting down on the number of phones in your house.

6. Buy Energy Star Approved appliances – they consider standby power use as when rating appliances.

The good news–word of vampire electricity is out and technology is trying to keep up by using new transformers and converters that will cut down on the amount of energy consumed in stand-by mode.

Want to save on your carbon footprint? Try taking a weekend off from energy consumption and reconnect with nature by camping for a weekend. Just spent a weekend up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, no cell phones, no tvs, no computers, no electricity (save for flashlights–it gets dark in the country at night!), no noise. It was so refreshing spending a couple nights under the stars away from the bustle and consumption of the city.

Who: Vers Audio; Wayland, MA

What: Bamboo iPod Docking Station

Where: Vers Audio, $179.99-$199.99, free shipping & get $30 off if you recycle your old docking station

Why: Not all i-pod docking stations are created equal. Vers Audio offers a unique and sleek solution to the i-pod docking station. With sustainability in mind, they avoided plastics, glues and non-recyclable components to create a high performing audio system. Using all natural woods from sustainable managed forests, using screws instead of glues and using recyclable packaging along with an 80% more efficient amplifier, the result is an eco-friendly system that looks great! Will keep you posted on the sound quality-it would make sense that the tones resonating from woods would be far superior to those from plastics………

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Update: July 28, 2008 – Thanks for the votes of confidence–I am now the proud owner of a Vers!! And I have to agree the sound quality is great and the design is impeccable.  Note to buyer’s, word is that Vers most recent order from the manufacturer got lost in the mail so there is limited supply right now and the Vers site only has cherry availabe.  Also, have heard the complaint that if you use your i-phone with the Vers, the i-phone automatically switches to ‘airplane’ mode meaning that you will not be able to receive incoming calls.

Who: Minka Aire, Corona, CA (HQ)

What: Concept Ceiling Fan

Where: Crescent Harbor, $249.95 – Receive a FREE Retro Table Top Fan with your $300+ Minka Aire purchase. Enter the Promotion Code RETRO during checkout!

Why: After the great success with my first Minka Aire fan, I decided to fight my inner miser and invest in a quality brand. After extensive research, I settled on the Concept for my bedroom. I was limited in that I could not purchase a fan with blades longer than 48″ due to the steep slope of my third floor bedroom–ahh life in an attic and why I desperately needed a ceiling fan. I also had to buy a fan that could be adapted to compensate for the 45 degree slope. And the folks at Minka Group did not disappoint. They sell slope adapters to remedy this problem and combined with an extension rod I was all set. The slope and the DIY wiring upstairs made the installation a bit more complicated, but still relatively easy compared to most ceiling fans. We did have to use the counterweights to balance the fan blades as the fan wobbled a bit causing a clicking noise with each spin. There is still a slight rattle when on the 2nd or3rd setting, so we still have some kinks to work out, but am otherwise quite content. Of course, we installed the fan on a 90 degree day and have not had to use it since as the evenings have been so cool–just another reason why installing a ceiling fan keeps temperatures down. ha.

So, even though none of the icons are lit an eco-friendly shade of green, fans are an eco-friendly alternative to climate control.  They are extremely energy efficient, even those not rated Energy Star. The energy used to run a ceiling fan is comparable to the energy used in a 100-watt incadescent lightbulb!They effectively reduce your cooling costs by 40% when compared to energy costs of air conditioners and if you reverse the direction to clockwise in the winter time you can save up to 10% on your cooling costss as the cold air is forced upwards and the warm air is forced down.

Who: Minka Aire; Corona, CA

What: Artemis Ceiling Fan with Light by Minka Aire

Where: Lumen Light + Living – $499.95 – Receive a FREE Retro Table Top Fan with your $300+ Minka Aire purchase. Enter the Promotion Code RETRO during checkout!

Why: Last summer I purchased this fabulous Artemis Ceiling Fan by Minka Aire–it is gorgeous and has quickly become a conversation piece in the house, not to mention a highly effective cooling method.

Minka Aire has an excellent reputation as a manufacturer of quality products. The design of this particular fan is the culmination of years of research and development to create a highly efficient and silent motor and a  design that is simple to install, all without compromising aesthetics. No surpise that the Artemis is a Good Design Award winner.

The long vanes (58″) provide a impressive gust. I rarely need to use the high speed options to effectively cool the room. It is even great in the winter, keeping all the hot air down. My only complaint is that I am not crazy about the light from the light fixture–but at least it uses an efficient halogen lightbulb. A highly efficient fan that will help lower energy bills.

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