Halloween-obsessed Energy Department wants you to guide trick-or-treaters with energy-saving lights

The Department of Energy this week has orchestrated an all-out blitz to get people to celebrate Halloween in an energy-saving way, including by using compact fluorescent bulbs to light the way for trick-or-treaters, and even using an energy-saving stove to heat up your apple cider.

The department is also producing reams of Halloween-themed advice on how to save energy, such as ways to fight "energy vampires" in the home.

Saving energy can be fun, says the Department of Energy.
Image source: DOE

DOE officials started the week by asking people to carve green energy symbols into their pumpkins.

On Wednesday, the department advised people use energy-saving lights as much as possible during Halloween. It said the federal government has given out grants to several states to help them replace their incandescent street lights with "brighter, longer-lasting light-emitting diode (LED) lights," and said people can help save energy even without federal grants.

"In the same spirit, compact fluorescent bulbs on porches indicate to youngsters there's a treat awaiting them when they sound the door bell," it said.

The department even reveled in the fact that much of the candy being handed out this year has been produced using energy-saving techniques.

"This All-Hallow's Eve, take a moment to appreciate the ways energy efficiency is all around us," it added. "You can even lead the way with an LED torch, or heat your apple cider with your ENERGY STAR stove."

Here comes the energy vampire... or is that a real vampire?
Image source: DOE

On Thursday, the department continued to hammer away on the Halloween theme by saying people should take steps to ward off "energy vampires." Among other things, it noted that various electronic appliances use energy even when they're plugged in but not being used, and said even unused cell phone chargers use power.

"What most people don't realize is that these chargers are continually drawing power, even when no device is connected to them," it said. "In fact, the average charger is consuming .26 watts of energy when not in use, and 2.24 watts even when a fully charged device is connected to it."

The department said unplugging cords will "help you slay energy vampires while saving money."