Try these tips to avoid energy waste and save money at home

CHICAGO (Oct. 29, 2018) – With so much at stake, Halloween is great time to stop Energy Vampires who steal electricity in homes.

Energy Vampires are electric devices that continue to draw electricity when plugged in – even when they are turned off. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household spends $100 to $200 per year to power plugged-in electronics and appliances while they are off or in standby mode.

Here are a few tips that can help customers close the coffin on Energy Vampires:

• Unplug electronics when not in use to save electricity. Some home electronics – including mobile phone chargers, computers, printers and game consoles – continue to use power even when turned off. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this "vampire energy" can account for 10 percent of your monthly electric bill.
• When planning to be away from home, always remember to unplug all nonessential devices.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR^® label on home appliances, electronics and other products. ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Create an online account at ComEd.com/MyAccount to access your energy usage, receive tips on saving energy, and sign up for alerts when your usage is trending higher than usual.
• Enroll in smart meter-enabled programs like Peak Time Savings and Hourly Pricing to save money by voluntarily shifting energy use to times when there is less demand for electricity.
  

The ComEd^® Energy Efficiency Program offers a variety of rebates, discounts and assessments to help homeowners, businesses and municipalities save money and energy by using energy more wisely.

ComEd also offers energy efficiency products through its Marketplace, an online store offering instant, point-of-purchase rebates on competitively-priced energy management products. Products include smart thermostats, LEDs, advanced power strips and water-saving products.

For more information on energy-saving tips, tools and rebates, visit ComEd.com/HomeSavings for residential customers and ComEd.com/BizSavings for business customers.