Unused electronics and appliances left plugged in can silently drain your energy and money. Known as “Vampire Energy,” this can cost you hundreds of dollars annually, according to the Department of Energy. Our Vampire Energy Calculator can show you how much you can save by simply unplugging items when not in use. 

Quick tips to reduce vampire energy: 

• Unplug Devices When Not in Use 
• Adjust Power Settings on Electronics 
• Use Power Strips and Smart Strips 
• Program Timers for Regularly Used Devices 
• Choose Energy Star Rated Products 

What is vampire energy? 

Vampire energy, also known as standby or phantom energy, is the energy that our electronics and appliances consume when they are plugged in but not in use. Think of your TV, your coffee maker, your computer—when they're turned off but still plugged in, they're still using energy.  

Banish energy vampires with the vampire calculator 

The Vampire Calculator is here to help you identify and banish those energy vampires. By using the Vampire Calculator, you can discover which appliances and electronics are sucking up the most energy when they're not in use. Armed with this knowledge, you can unplug these energy vampires when they're not needed and start saving money instantly. 

Visit sdge.com/MyEnergy to use our Vampire Calculator today! 

Don’t forget... 

Considering that many customers are on a Time-of-Use pricing plan, you can also maximize your savings by operating small appliances outside the peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. By running your dishwasher, doing laundry, and other energy-intensive tasks during off-peak hours, you can take advantage of lower electricity rates and save even more money.