Willie's World
3
Q Q u u i i c c k k L L i i n n k k s s H H u u n n t t i i n n g g v v a a m m p p i i r r e e e e l l e e c c t t r r o o n n i i c c s s Most homes these days never quite shut down for the night. Although lamps may be off, dark rooms are typically spotted with tiny red and green lights of appliances and the glow of digital clocks. All of those little lights, clocks, and seemingly “sleeping” appliances, however, are using more electricity than most would think. Sometimes called vampire electronics, these devices suck up 5 percent of all energy used in the United States and cost consumers more than $3 billion every year. For the average homeowner, vampire electronics can add 20 percent to monthly electric bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To trim this excess energy use, you need to know where these vampires reside and keep them in check. Take a closer look at appliances around your home. Those that use remote controls such as TVs, DVD players, ceiling fans, and stereos are suspect. Any digital displays, such as microwave and coffee machine clocks, are working against your electric bill. And many of those chargers around the house–those that keep cell phones, power tools, and MP3 players at the ready–constantly draw power when plugged in. Unplugging these vampires effectively drives a stake into their energy-consuming hearts. Power strips provide another way to thwart them. Simply plug appliances into a power strip, and switch it off when those appliances aren’t being used. In addition, unplug any battery-operated electronic device once charged. You wouldn’t walk away from a flowing water hose, after all, and you certainly don’t wa nt to keep feeding those vampires. Scott Gates writes on technology and energy efficiency for the NRECA. NRECA Spotlight on Excellence Award of Merit for Best Application of Electronic Communication W W i i l l l l i i e e ’ ’ s s W W o o r r l l d d I I n n T T h h i i s s I I s s s s u u e e • “Vampire” hunting • Safety • Be Prepared • Did you know? • Happy Easter • Spring “Break” • Last Chance! A Publication of Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Willie Wiredhand wants you to remember… “Check the label inside the door or cover of your electrical service panel to see when your electrical system was last inspected. If the date has passed or is approaching, contact a licensed, qualified electrician to schedule an inspection!”
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April 2014 Issue
Transcript of Willie's World
QQQuuuiiiccckkk LLLiiinnnkkksss
HHHuuunnntttiiinnnggg vvvaaammmpppiiirrreee eeellleeeccctttrrrooonnniiicccsss
Most homes these days never quite shut down for
the night. Although lamps may be off, dark rooms are
typically spotted with tiny red and green lights of appliances
and the glow of digital clocks.
All of those little lights, clocks, and seemingly
“sleeping” appliances, however, are using more electricity
than most would think. Sometimes called vampire
electronics, these devices suck up 5 percent of all energy
used in the United States and cost consumers more than $3
billion every year.
For the average homeowner, vampire electronics
can add 20 percent to monthly electric bills, according to the
U.S. Department of Energy. To trim this excess energy use,
you need to know where these vampires reside and keep
them in check.
Take a closer look at appliances around your home.
Those that use remote controls such as TVs, DVD players,
ceiling fans, and stereos are suspect. Any digital displays,
such as microwave and coffee machine clocks, are working
against your electric bill. And many of those chargers around
the house–those that keep cell phones, power tools, and MP3
players at the ready–constantly draw power when plugged in.
Unplugging these vampires effectively drives a
stake into their energy-consuming hearts. Power strips
provide another way to thwart them. Simply plug appliances
into a power strip, and switch it off when those appliances
aren’t being used.
In addition, unplug any battery-operated electronic
device once charged. You wouldn’t walk away from a
flowing water hose, after all, and you certainly don’t want to
keep feeding those vampires.
Scott Gates writes on technology and energy efficiency for the NRECA.
NRECA Spotlight on Excellence Award of Merit for Best Application of Electronic Communication
WWiilllliiee’’ss WWoorrlldd
IIInnn TTThhhiiisss IIIssssssuuueee
• “Vampire” hunting
• Safety
• Be Prepared
• Did you know?
• Happy Easter
• Spring “Break”
• Last Chance!
A Publication of Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative
Willie Wiredhand wants you to remember…
“Check the label inside the door or cover of your electrical
service panel to see when your electrical system was last
inspected. If the date has passed or is approaching, contact a
licensed, qualified electrician to schedule an inspection!”
2
Willie’s World
Slay energy vampires! Try plugging household electronics like personal computers, monitors, printers, speakers, stereos, DVD and video game players, and cell phone chargers into power strips. Not only do power strips protect sensitive electronic
components from power surges, you can quickly turn off several items at once. (Routers and modems also can be plugged into power strips, although they take longer to reactivate.)
Source: Brian Sloboda, Cooperative Research Network
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Willie’s World
EEEnnnttteeerrr NNNooowww!!!
The deadline to enter the 2014 Youth Tour essay contest is 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 4th!
Visit our website (www.avecc.com) or click on the link below for
details! http://www.avecc.com/2014-youth-tour/
For more information, contact Member Services @ 1-800-468-2176.
1811 W. Commercial
P.O. Box 47
Ozark, AR 72949
PHONE:
(800) 468-2176
FAX:
(479) 667-9847
E-MAIL:
www.avecc.com
www.myenergyavecc.com
ARKANSAS VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
1811 W. Commercial
P.O. Box 47
Ozark, AR 72949
Arkansas Valley Electric
Cooperative Corp.
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FFrroomm YYoouurr AArrkkaannssaass VVaalllleeyy
EElleeccttrriicc CCooooppeerraattiivvee!!
SSuunnddaayy,, AApprriill 2200tthh
