Environment Texas Blog

Vampires roam our communities nightly, sucking up vast amounts of our precious energy.  Unnoticed by most, these creatures work tirelessly to drain us of the energy we need to live and destroy our environment.  They hide in our kitchens, living rooms and offices, waiting for us to turn off the lights and turn our backs on them. 

These vampires are our televisions, cable set-top boxes and stereos.  Many such everyday electrical appliances consume power even when they are turned off.  According to one study, these standby or “vampire” appliances consume between 5 and 26 percent of a home’s annual electricity use.

In the battle to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, energy efficiency is the cheapest and quickest means available to us.  Vast “strategic reserves” of energy efficiency exist within America’s homes, businesses.  American homes could reduce energy losses by 68 percent by simply replacing existing appliances with those that minimize standby power.  As part of a larger effort towards a new energy future for America, these savings would also help us avoid building 19 new polluting coal-fired power plants in Texas.

By driving a stake through the heart of energy vampires and other energy wasters, Texans can prevent the increased pollution of our precious air, waterways and wildlife habitats.  They can also help reduce utility expenses and minimize our dependence on foreign fossil fuels.