When Bram Stoker first published his Gothic horror novel Dracula in 1897, electricity provision and use was in its infancy. Few people could flick a switch to keep the dark (and the monsters) at bay. But such was the book’s impact that it deeply shaped the popular conception of vampires in the public’s mind (the Guinness Book of World Records named Dracula the most portrayed literary character in history). Nearly 130 years later, and electricity is now far, far more impactful than the demonic nobleman from Transylvania. Huge growth in industrialisation and easier access to power sources have boosted global electricity demand to gigantic levels.

In 2023, for example, the world consumed 27 064 TWh of electricity, according to Statista. In 1980 the amount was 7 323.

But back to vampires, specifically vampire energy. This is the term given to the power some electronics and electrical appliances consume even after they are placed in standby mode or switched off.

Some are innocuous – a mobile phone AC adapter constantly supplies a charge, even if the phone’s battery is fully charged or nothing is plugged into it. Many AC adapters waste as much as 50% of the electricity they use, according to How Stuff Works.

As key drivers of the global economy, businesses have the ability to lead change. Taking steps to reduce office energy consumption is a small but clear and achievable way to demonstrate that power is being used responsibly.

In an opinion piece for Wired, writer Crystal Ponti details some of the biggest electricity guzzlers in the office. ‘We have an abundance of appliances with internal thermostats working around the clock to maintain specific temperatures. Water coolers are one of the biggest culprits. Today, the water cooler is always running (and the water cooler market in the United States has swelled to nearly a billion dollars). These appliances are frequently set at around 3.1°C for cold and 94°C for hot water. Both ends of the spectrum require a significant amount of energy.’

Ponti writes that actual figures are hard to come by, but it is estimated that vampire energy consumption can account for ‘as much as 40% of a building’s energy use and associated monthly electricity bill’.

‘Studies from the Natural Resources Defence Council have found that more than 100 billion kilowatt-hours are wasted every year [in the US] because of vampire energy – about 50 large (500 megawatt) power plants’ worth of electricity.’

‘Vampire energy is not just a money suck; it’s killing our planet. Electricity is often generated through the combustion of hydrocarbons like oil, gas and coal, which release significant amounts of carbon dioxide. According to a study conducted by Earth Day, 100 billion kilowatt-hours of vampire energy produce nearly 80 million tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of the annual carbon emissions from about 15 million cars. This accounts for around 1% of the world’s total carbon emissions.

‘And while residential waste plays a role, industrial vampire energy consumption is a much bigger contributor to those emissions. In addition to industry-specific appliances, industrial vampire energy culprits include the vending machines, water coolers and photocopiers lurking around every corner in commercial buildings, warehouses and other facilities. We don’t really know how often people use these machines, but they still consume energy 24/7. They also take up space that is needed for proper ventilation of a building; buildings are more energy-efficient when they have less stuff in them.’

In today’s increasingly sustainability-conscious world, the responsibility of addressing climate change and environmental degradation is not confined to individuals or governments alone. Businesses, particularly those operating in office environments, play a crucial role in shaping a greener future. One of the most effective steps companies can take is implementing energy-saving measures in their workplaces. The importance of this action spans multiple dimensions – economic, environmental, social and even reputational. Energy efficiency in the office supports global sustainability goals and also strengthens a business’ bottom line, enhances employee satisfaction and improves brand perception.

The most immediately tangible reason for businesses to adopt energy-saving practices is the potential for significant cost savings. Offices typically consume large amounts of energy for lighting, heating, cooling, computing and running various appliances. The US Environmental Protection Agency indicates energy costs are one of the largest controllable expenses in office buildings. By improving energy efficiency by just 10%, a business can increase its profit margin significantly. These savings can be redirected into core business operations, innovation and employee benefits or reinvested to further enhance sustainability efforts.

‘We now have the technology to collect data on how much energy we are wasting,’ writes Ponti. ‘Historically, this data hasn’t been readily available because of the many makes and models of devices and appliances. But new tech, like smart plugs, wireless energy monitors and sensors and smart meters, can make sense of all these various devices.’

The rapid advancement of energy-efficient technologies has made it easier and more affordable for businesses to reduce their energy consumption. Smart thermostats, occupancy sensors and energy management software allow for precise monitoring and control of energy usage. These technologies can provide detailed insights into consumption patterns, identify areas of waste and suggest actionable improvements.

Adopting such innovations not only improves energy efficiency but also signals a business is embracing digital transformation. In an era where technological adaptability is key to competitiveness, energy-saving measures can serve as a stepping stone towards broader innovation. By installing energy-efficient lighting such as LEDs, optimising HVAC systems and promoting better energy-management practices, businesses can substantially reduce their utility bills.

Gen Less is an online initiative run by the New Zealand government to help businesses and individuals save energy. The Gen Less website has a simple tool where consumers can type in the make or serial number of an electronic product and be instantly informed about its energy consumption. Yet there are a multitude of other ways to cut down on electricity use in the office quickly. According to Gen Less, ‘compact fluorescent lamps use only around 25% of the electricity as traditional light bulbs to provide the same light. And they can save up to 80% on your next electric bill and last up to eight times longer. Upgrading to LED lighting can deliver around 40% to 70% reduction in energy use, and around 60% to 90% in combination with lighting controls’. It mentions that laptops are more efficient than desktop computers and that all-in-one printers, scanners and copiers use 50% of the energy that the individual products would consume.

Electronic devices may cause vampire power, but there are also a number of gadgets designed to help cut down on unnecessary energy wastage in the office. There are wattage readers, for example, which allow monitoring of electricity consumption, or plug load controllers that combine a surge protector with a motion detector. If there’s no one in the room for a certain time the protector switches off all devices plugged into it. Smart power strips allow for one device to be designated the ‘master’ and several secondary devices as the ‘slaves’. If the master device is off, then the slaves don’t get power.

The cumulative effect of small actions – turning off unused lights, reducing air conditioning, unplugging electronics and optimising energy use with technology – can lead to significant environmental impact when adopted across hundreds or thousands of workplaces. In this sense, each energy-saving measure is a contribution to a collective global effort. Stopping this vampire doesn’t need garlic – switching a few plugs or lights off works just fine.

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