Finding Your Energy Vampires with Xcel Energy

[alark79]

There's some good tips here, but one that's actually a VERY VERY bad thing to do. NEVER turn off the surge protector to your computer!! When the surge protector is off, it's not protecting the computer. Even if the computer is turned off, a power surge to the house will fry the computer if the surge protector is turned off. Unplug it from the wall if you're concerned about the energy the strip draws. It's much cheaper to leave a surge strip on, then to replace a fried PC.

[XcelEnergyVideo]

Thanks so much for your interest in the energy vampire video and for your comments. The power strip shown in our video did not have the surge protector feature, but you do bring up a good point. Many of today’s surge protectors do actually protect when turned off, so it’s best to check with your individual manufacturer to determine what type you have. More information on the use of both power strips and surge protectors with home electronics is available on the Department of Energy website.