Duke Energy Florida is advising customers to be aware of “energy vampires”—devices that continue to use electricity even when switched off. These devices, which include chargers, coffee machines, and gaming consoles, can account for up to 20% of a household’s total energy costs.
The company recommends several steps to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Unplugging unused electronics can help prevent small amounts of power from being drawn throughout the day. Customers are also encouraged to turn off Halloween lights and decorations during daylight hours and overnight, limiting their use to evening hours only.
Using smart power strips is another suggested measure; these strips automatically cut off power to devices in standby mode. Upgrading lighting by switching to LED bulbs can further reduce energy usage, as LEDs consume up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and have a longer lifespan. Adjusting appliance settings by enabling “energy saver” or sleep modes on TVs, computers, and other appliances can also contribute to lower bills.
“Small habit changes with home electronics can help cut costs,” said Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida. “As we head into the cooler months and give our air conditioners a break, there are other ways, including finding energy vampires, that customers can continue to save power and money.”
Duke Energy Florida serves approximately 2 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida. The company owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its electric utilities serve about 8.4 million customers across six states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The company’s natural gas utilities provide service for around 1.7 million customers in five states.
Duke Energy is investing in upgrades for its electric grid and cleaner generation sources such as natural gas, nuclear power plants, renewables like solar or wind energy systems as well as storage solutions. More information about Duke Energy’s initiatives can be found at duke-energy.com or through its social media channels including X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
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