Customer Newsletter, December 2007

Are "Vampires" Still Lurking in Your Home?
Halloween has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have "vampires" in your home. To clarify, we are not speaking about the creatures that knock on your door on Halloween night, but actual electronic devices that are found inside your home. The electronic devices that are known as "vampires" are those that use standby modes instead of being “shut off”. They continue to drain electricity even when they are not being used, and add up on your electric bill.

A few examples of "vampire electronics" include cellular phone chargers, computers, DVD players, coffee makers, and microwave ovens, among others. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by 2010, up to 20 percent of electricity used in the United States could be attributed to standby power.

In California, lawmakers have begun to take action addressing standby power use, and have passed what has become known as the "Vampire Slayers Act". This will require manufacturers to add labels to electronics that utilize power when operating on "standby".

So what can you do in your home to prevent this phenomenon? Start by taking a look at the electronics you are using. Do you leave your computer on when you are not using it? Do you leave battery chargers plugged in when they are not in use? Do you use several appliances that feature digital clocks? These are all culprits of “vampire usage”, so consider unplugging those items when you are not using them, rather than allowing them to operate on standby.

Other stories you'll find inside this edition:
  • NPPD Intent on Wind Energy
    • At NPPD’s December Board Meeting, their board voted 9-0 to proceed with negotiations to purchase the energy output from three private wind developments in Nebraska... More>>>
  • Switch & Save Campaign Continues Through December
    • The Switch & Save Campaign which began in November is continuing through December 31st...More>>>
  • Storm Information Connection Added to Website
    • Southern has added a feature to its recently redesigned website. Storm Information Connection will be a tool that we use in the event of a major outage... More>>>
  • Just One Year Ago...
    • For those of us at Southern, both employees and customers, December 30, 2006 is a day that will long be etched into our memories! More>>>
  • Light Your Nights Safety This Holiday Season
    • Decorative lights enhance the holiday scene but the risk of shock and fire make them a hazard. More>>>