There’s No Monsters Under the Bed: Cut Costs and Hunt Vampires Instead
Getting rid of vampire electricity is an effective way to save on your energy bill. Vampire electricity is “standby” energy used by many electronic devices and appliances that are still on, even when they appear to be turned off, as long as they’re plugged into an outlet
While these items may not seem expensive to keep plugged in, collectively, their cost adds up! You can start saving with a few easy steps:
• Unplug devices when not in use.
• Use power strips to unplug several items at once with the flip of a switch. Set strips to sleep mode after a few minutes of inactivity.
• Turn off screen savers on desktop computers. For laptops, disable screen saver mode.
• Smart plugs that work with a mobile app help you schedule appliances, and other items, to turn off and on automatically, which can help reduce energy usage.
• Consider disabling the “quick start” mode on your TV.
• When replacing appliances, look for new energy-efficient models with the Energy Star label.
For the average homeowner, vampire electronics can add 20% to monthly electric bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Fortunately, you can rid your home of vampire electricity by noticing how your home uses energy and taking simple steps to address it.
Try Usage Tracker!
This free tool will show you daily electricity usage along with daily temperatures, which helps you understand the effect weather can have on your power bill. This information can help you manage your electricity costs by managing your usage.
Perspective THE
There is a Cooperative Difference!
From Blue Ridge CEO, Doug Johnson
What do Blue Ridge Energy, ACE Hardware, State Farm, REI and Land O’Lakes have in common? We are all cooperatives.
While we represent different industries, we all share a passion for serving our members and communities. Cooperatives adhere to seven principles that reflect core values of honesty, transparency, collaboration and service. October is National Co-op Month and it’s the perfect time to reflect on these principles that have stood the test of time.
Then:
Cooperatives were created out of necessity, meeting a need that would have been otherwise unmet. In 1936, a group of neighbors banded together and organized our electric cooperative. For a modest membership fee, any farmer could get electricity. Neighbors worked together for the benefit of the whole community, and the newly established electric lines powered homes and economic opportunity.
Now:
Improving our service area remains a key responsibility for Blue Ridge Energy. It’s driven by maintaining a modern grid and meeting the energy needs of members, now and for the future.
We also support our members and communities in many other ways. For example, last year, our Members Foundation awarded over $360,000 to not-for-profit community projects and crisis energy bill assistance. Additionally, over $25,000 in Bright Ideas Grants went to educators for innovative classroom experiences this year. We also
awarded $36,000 in college scholarships through our Leadership Track, which helps high school students prepare for college and develop leadership skills.
Electric cooperatives also support economic development and were assigned as liaisons to help local qualifying entities secure government funding through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. We’ve helped our communities secure thousands of dollars for projects ranging from job expansion to healthcare and, in recent years, improving local fire and rescue resources.
Today, we’re also helping expand high-speed internet access to pockets of our service area that lack this service through our partnership with SkyLine/SkyBest Communications and with the help of grant funding.
As we take time to celebrate unique cooperative principles this month, we recognize that our demonstration of these values day in and day out is what powers our efforts to benefit members today and build a brighter future for tomorrow!
Did you know that co-ops are guided by seven common principles?
C lean Energy Charge
Members will soon see a new name for what has been listed on bills in recent years as “NC REPS” charge. This charge reflects North Carolina’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard law requiring all utilities to generate and distribute more electricity from renewable resources and to encourage energy efficiency among their consumers.
Senate Bill 678 has amended this law and it is now called the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (CEPS). Members will soon see “NC CEPS” as the new name for this charge listed on bills. The updated definition of a “clean energy resource” is broadened and now includes renewable energy resources, fusion energy resources, and nuclear energy resources, including an uprate to a nuclear energy facility.
Members will see the following changes: the residential fee will move from 29 cents to $2.00, the commercial fee will move from $1.64 to $11.18, and the industrial fee will move from $8.65 to $70.49.
Expenses to comply with the clean energy law fluctuate annually based on the cost of renewable and energy efficiency projects determined by the cooperative’s wholesale power provider. As required by law, a portion of the renewable energy must be generated from swine and poultry waste and increases reflected on these charges this year are due primarily to increased poultry renewable energy charge cost from our wholesale power provider.
Prepare
1. Insulate Your Home
• Seal Gaps and Cracks: Use weather stripping or caulk to seal windows, doors, and other openings.
• Insulate Attic and Walls.
• Use Draft Stoppers: Place draft stoppers or rolled-up towels at the base of doors.
2. Maintain Your Heating System
• Tune-Up Your Furnace: Get your heating system serviced to ensure it runs efficiently.
• Change Filters: Replace furnace filters regularly to keep your system working smoothly.
• Set Your Thermostat Wisely: Keep your thermostat at a lower, consistent temperature and use programmable or lower settings to reduce heating when you’re not home or at night.
3. Maximize Natural Heat
• Open Curtains During Sunny Days: Let the sunlight in to naturally warm your home.
• Close Curtains at Night: Insulate windows by closing curtains or blinds.
4. Use Space Heaters Efficiently
• Only Heat Occupied Rooms: Use space heaters in frequently used rooms and lower the overall temperature in the rest of the house.
• Keep space heaters away from flammable materials and turn them off when you leave the room.
5. Optimize Water Heater Usage
• Lower the Temperature: Set your water heater to 120°F (49°C) to save energy.
• Insulate Hot Water Pipes: Wrap insulation around hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.
