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Current Issue June 2012
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Vampire Electronics

Click through ten multiple-choice questions to find out how much you know about electronic waste.

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Scientist Alan Meier of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California has studied standby electronics for more than a decade. His studies have shown that the "vampires" can consume 5 to 8 percent of a household's total energy use. Test your ability to combat the electronic vampires in your home by clicking the "Start Quiz" button below.]]> <![CDATA[Producer & Editor]]> Paul Heltzel <![CDATA[Producer]]> Jamie Bussey <![CDATA[Researcher & Writer]]> Robin Reid Managing Editor, NGM.com Rob Covey Flash Developer Stefan Estrada Art Direction Shawn Greene img/vampire-intro-470.jpg iStock Photo img/remote-control-470.jpg iStock Photo img/outlet-470.jpg iStock Photo img/microwave-clock-470.jpg iStock Photo img/printer-470.jpg iStock Photo img/plugs-470.jpg 123rf img/monitors-470.jpg 123rf img/phone-charger-470.jpg 123rf img/plasma-tv-470.jpg 123rf img/extension-cord-470.jpg 123rf img/coal-plant-470.jpg 123rf 10 No one would say you're in sleep mode. You're a pro at saving electricity. Not bad, not bad. Care to shrink your carbon footprint and try again? You've got some work to do to shrink your carbon footprint. Try again? Uh oh. Sounds like maybe your household is wasting a bit more than you think. Try again! 1 Remote control Constantly illuminated status light or LED (light-emitting diode) screen "Soft-touch" key pad All of the above 4 2 A wall outlet. A power strip with an off/on switch. An extension cord with several outlets at the end. A generator. 2 3 Garage-door opener Cordless phone Microwave Cable modem 1 4 Desktop PC Cordless phone Inkjet printer Flat-screen computer monitor 2 5 Three None Twenty Fifteen 3 6 Nothing. It ordered manufacturers to create labels that say how much standby a device uses. It passed a law that required all government agencies to buy products that used no more than one watt of standby power. None of the above. 3 7 Unplug chargers when they're not in use. Buy Energy Star products. Get an energy meter to see how much energy your electrical appliances and devices use. All of the above. 4
The federal Energy Star program covers more than 50 kinds of energy-efficient products for homes and offices. To find out more, go to www.energystar.gov.

Energy meters are relatively inexpensive. Plug whatever device you want to check into the meter and watch the vampires at work!]]> 8 Use power strips. Unplug TVs you don't use regularly (such as ones in guest rooms.) Unplug chargers and adaptors. Limit the time you use clothes dryers. 4 9 One Four A miniscule amount Between 5 and 15 4 10 Nuclear Natural gas Coal Hydropower 3