Slay home energy vampires via Chicago Tribune

They are the night stalkers: vampire appliances (TVs, computers, DVD players and cellphone chargers) that siphon energy around the clock, even when idle. The average U.S. home has 40 such devices that draw power continuously and account for nearly 10 percent of homeenergy use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The good news is that with the proper equipment you can drive a stake through the heart of these energy wasters.

You don't have to spend money to slay a vampire. A simple step, such as unplugging cellphones and MP3 players once they're charged, is a helpful suggestion. If you use a desktopcomputer with a separate monitor, configure its energy settings so that it powers down when not in use; that alone could save you up to $85 per year, the EPA says.

Look for home appliances, such as microwaves and cordless phones, with low standby-power ratings. The website for theFederal Emergency Management Agency's Standby Power Data Center (eere.energy.gov) can tell you how much energy a device uses when it's idle.