Vectren : Customers can save up to $200 annually on energy bills by reducing vampire load

October 30, 2014

Media contact: Natalie Hedde nhedde@vectren.comor 812-491-5105

One Vectren Square

Evansville, IN 47708

Evansville, Ind. - This Halloween, Vectren is reminding customers they can save up to $200 per year on their electric bills by cutting "vampire" load. According to a study conducted by Cornell University, the average home has 20 to 25 devices contributing to vampire load, often called phantom load, which refers to the amount of electricity that's being drained by equipment when it's off or in standby mode.
Any device that has a remote control or instant-on capability is slowly draining power. Examples of these energy vampires include Blu-Ray and DVD players, microwaves, http://www.vectrenlivesmart.com/content/video-gaming-systems-and-energy-use-082909.htmlvideo gaming systems, alarm clocks, cell phones that are fully charged, computers, televisions and any device with a digital display.
"Most people don't realize just how easy it is to shave significant dollars off your electric bill by ridding your home of these energy vampires," said Robbie Sears, Vectren's vice president of customer energy solutions. "The
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Cut energy costs by unplugging vampire load

individual vampire loads range from a fraction of a watt to more than 45 watts, and these electric appliances may account for as much as 10 percent of the total electric bill even when switched off."
According to the Department of Energy, 45 "vampire" watts feeding off of your electric power bill for a year totals nearly 400 kilowatt hours - enough energy to operate a new, 21 cubic feet, ENERGY STAR® refrigerator for nearly one year. A Kill-A-Watt power meter can help detect which appliances have the highest vampire load. These devices can be checked out at local libraries through Vectren's Phantom Finder program. Once detected, combat these energy vampires in the following ways:

• Plug all components of a home entertainment system into a power strip and turn it off when the equipment is not in use. Anything plugged into the strip is then truly turned off.

• Computers and their peripherals should be placed on a http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Smart-Energy/Smart-Strip/Smart Strip, which automatically powers down a computer's peripherals, such as speakers, modems and printers, once the computer is turned off.
Smart Strips range from $25 to $40. Essentially, a Smart Strip detects when the primary appliance in a
group has been turned off and then electronically powers-off the associated peripherals.

• Unplug devices that are rarely used as well as chargers that aren't in use. Unplug items such as televisions, toaster ovens and other well-used appliances before leaving on vacation or more frequently as desired.

• Buy energy-efficient appliances bearing the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models. Find a list of products at EnergyStar.gov, http://www.vectren.com/Vectren.comor contact Vectren's Conservation Connection contact center at (866) 240-8476.

Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, lnd. Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity lo more than 1 million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west centrai Ohio. Vectren's nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services lo customers throughout the U.S. These include infrastructure services and energy services. To learn more about Vectren, visi!www.vectren.com.

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