Duke Energy cautions customers about plug-in devices that can drive up power costs

The utility says a typical home contains roughly 40 devices that use electricity even when they are idle

Duke Energy is alerting customers to so-called energy vampires.

These devices are not hazardous, but they can add to household electricity costs. They remain plugged in and continue drawing power even when they are not actively being used.

Examples include:

• TVs
• Cell phone chargers
• Coffee makers
• Nearly any device with an external power supply, internal battery, remote control, always-on display, or constant network connection

The company says the average home has about 40 of these devices.

Ways to cut costs

Duke Energy recommends the following steps:

• Unplug devices when they are not in use, especially in areas such as guest rooms that may not be checked often.
• Use smart power strips that automatically shut off electricity to devices when they are idle.
• Turn on built-in energy-saving features, such as sleep mode, to reduce unnecessary power use.
• Replace older equipment with more efficient options when possible, including ENERGY STAR products and newer technology. Duke Energy says the resulting savings often offset the cost of the purchase.

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