Duke Energy Florida is encouraging customers to take steps to reduce energy waste from so-called “energy vampires”—devices that continue to use electricity even when turned off. These hidden sources of power consumption can account for up to 20% of a household’s total energy costs.
The company recommends several actions, such as unplugging unused electronics like chargers and gaming consoles, turning off Halloween lights and decorations during the day and overnight, using smart power strips that cut power when devices enter standby mode, upgrading to LED bulbs which are more energy efficient, and enabling “energy saver” or sleep modes on TVs, computers, and other appliances.
“Small habit changes with home electronics can help cut costs,” said Melissa Seixas, president, Duke Energy Florida. “As we head into the cooler months and give our air conditioners a break, there are other ways, including finding energy vampires, that customers can continue to save power and money.”
Duke Energy Florida provides electricity to two million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida with 12,300 megawatts of capacity. Its parent company Duke Energy serves 8.4 million electric customers in six states and is investing in grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources such as renewables and storage.
For more information on how to save energy and lower bills, visit duke-energy.com.
