Add Power Switches for Outlets to Kill Vampire Loads

Vampire loads can cost you a few bucks a day depending on how many devices are plugged in. Consider adding a power switch to turn off all the electronics plugged into your major-use outlets; you'll quickly recoup the investment.

Financial weblog The Simple Dollar points out that a heavily-used outlet, such as one used by a home-theater system or a large computer with peripherals can easily devour 100 watts of energy, which means you use a kWh every ten hours. Depending on your local provider you can pay between $0.10 to $0.26 per kWh. By installing a power switch at that outlet and only turning it on when in use you can save between $0.24 and $0.62 per day when not using the device. Considering a DIY light-switch kit from a hardware store is less than $10 you'll quickly see a return on the investment.

Of course you can also purchase a smart power strip which will turn off most other plugged in devices when the device plugged into the master outlet is turned off. That option is definitely less work with no chance of electrocution for the careless, but the $25-40 smart power strips add up quickly if you want to outfit your entire home. For $40 you can get around six light-switch kits and the installation process isn't incredibly difficult; you'll turn off the power to that room, cut a hole in the drywall to install the switch, run wires from the switch to the outlet and put the covers back on the outlets and switches. If you follow safety precautions you can easily install several of these in a day.


Put Your Home Electronics on a Switch-Based Power Source | The Simple Dollar