KU Offers Simple Tips to Combat Energy ‘Vampires’

Halloween season is not the only time of year when vampires may be lurking in your home, and Kentucky Utilities Company is helping identify energy “vampires” on a mission to drain the life out of your wallet.

While these creatures aren’t of the “Twilight” variety, they can add about $125 to annual energy costs, according to Consumer Reports.

These energy “vampires” are electronic devices such as televisions, DVD players, portable chargers, MP3 players and video game consoles that suck trickles of energy around the clock, even in the “off” mode. The average U.S. home has about 40 such devices that continuously draw power to enable remote control signals and digital clock displays.

Perform an online energy audit to better pinpoint how your home uses energy and where potential savings exist. Simply register your KU account, then click on "Online Energy Audit." After keying in some basic information about your home, you'll receive a 19-page report with energy-saving recommendations based on your home and your actual energy use.

Request an on-site energy audit and for $25 a trained energy specialist will examine your home and use specialized equipment to help identify air leaks and other areas where you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. After the audit, you'll receive energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and water restrictors to help get you started, as well as a customized report detailing suggested energy-saving measures and the estimated costs for making those improvements.

Use a programmable thermostat and gain better control over your energy usage. According to ENERGY STAR, if used properly, a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 a year.

Adjust your thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer and save up to $45 a year.

Turn off all unnecessary lights and use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.

Seal and save. As much as 20 percent of air flow is lost through leaks in your ductwork. Sealing leaks around the house with caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping can improve home comfort while reducing overall energy costs.