Don’t Let Vampire Energy Haunt Your Home this Halloween!

This Halloween, Delmarva Power is here to help you ward off the chilling bite of vampire energy that could creep into your home and scare up energy costs. Vampire energy-sometimes called phantom power or standby energy-is what happens when your electronics and appliances keep using energy even after you've turned them off. Whether it's a smartphone charger, computer cord, printer, coffee pot, game console, or other gadgets, these sneaky vampires keep draining power as long as they're plugged in. In fact, these energy ghouls can account for up to 20 percent of your devices' total energy use.

With a few clever tricks, you can put an end to phantom power and keep those haunted bills at bay:

• Arm yourself with a power strip featuring an on/off switch to slay energy-hungry electronics when you're not using them.

• Once your phone, laptop, or other devices are fully charged, unplug them to keep those vampires at bay.

• If you're heading out of town, turn off all non-essential devices, like TVs and electronics, from their sockets. Don't let them lurk in standby mode, quietly draining energy.

• Turn off all lights when leaving a room and use timers for indoor and outdoor lights, including electric holiday decorations and lights.

• Scare away ghosts with energy-efficient LED bulbs, which, according to the Department of Energy, last longer and use up to 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs.

• Keep blinds up during the day to capture the radiant heating benefits of the sun. Close blinds and curtains after the sun goes down to keep the cold air out and the heat in.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on home appliances, electronics, and other products. ENERGY STAR® products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

• Manage your bill on My Account. Online energy management tools show you how much energy you are using. The bill-to-date feature lets you know what your bill costs are to date at any time during the month. You can also get tips based on your energy saving goals.

All Delmarva Power customers can learn more about becoming energy efficient and saving money on their energy bills by going to delmarva.com/WaysToSave. Delmarva Power Maryland customers can also get assistance from Zoe, the Good Energy Guide, by visiting delmarva.com/GoodEnergy. Zoe walks customers through Delmarva Power's energy efficiency offerings to help customers in Maryland save energy and money.

To learn more about Delmarva Power, visit The Source, Delmarva Power's online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/DelmarvaPower and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/DelmarvaConnect. Delmarva Power's mobile app is available at delmarva.com/MobileApp.