When it comes to energy efficiency, Cincinnati residents are pretty diligent. They tend to think efficiency when it comes to heating and cooling their homes. However, even the most efficient Cincinnati home can suffer from energy vampires.

What is an energy vampire? It's any device or situation where you use more energy than necessary. They can consume up to 20 percent of your electricity bills.

Here are some of the most common energy vampires found in a typical American home:

• Chargers for cell phones and other electronic devices use electricity even when they're not plugged into the device.
• Coffee makers with timers or stand-by mode use a bit of electricity to keep the clock running. Microwaves also use electricity to keep their clocks set.
• Leaks around windows and doors allow cold air in during the winter, making the heating system work overtime. The opposite happens in the summer.
• An open chimney flue when there's no fire going can allow cold air into the house.

Keep Energy Vampires at Bay

• Unplug devices when they're not in use. Either remove the plug from the wall or use a power strip and turn it off manually.
• Use power-saving features in personal computers to regulate power use when it's idle.
• Use caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doors to keep conditioned air inside the house.
• Close the chimney flue when not burning a fire to keep cold air out of the house.
• Shut the fridge door tightly. Make sure the seal is clean and making a tight connection. Replace it if needed.

For more information about energy vampires and how to make your home more energy efficient, contact JonLe Heating & Cooling. We proudly serve the greater Cincinnati area.

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