Are there vampires sucking the energy right out of your home?  There probably are, and the problem is not one that can be fixed with a handful of garlic.  Vampire power refers to the energy your home appliances, computers, and other gadgets consume when you aren’t even using them.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 75% of the power consumed in the U.S. is used when electronics and appliances are turned off.

Here are some likely spots to look for wasted, ‘vampire’ power:

• Televisions
• Rechargeable power tools
• Coffee pots
• Rechargeable vacuum cleaners
• Cordless phones
• Baby monitors
• Stereo systems

If you want to rid your home of vampires, conserve energy, and save a buck, simply unplug anything you aren’t actively using.  If this seems like an inconvenience, plug as many of your home electronics as possible into power strips.  Then you can cut the power to multiple items with just one switch.  Source:  What’s Wasting Energy in Your Home Right Now.

If all this talk about vampires has you thinking about Halloween costumes, the vampire costume above is available at Webhats.

Green living isn’t just for the home front… here are two easy ways to go green while at work.

The Eco Button: Here’s a fun way save energy when it comes to computer use. With a simple tap, this cool looking USB device allows you to instantly put your computer into energy saver mode. I read about the Eco Button at The Office Master, a blog all about cubicle survival.

Power Strips: Here’s another green office tip. Plug your computer and any other office equipment into a power strip so you can easily shut them off before you leave. Since computer monitors are especially known for their energy-guzzling tendencies, this is a great way to save power and live green.