Phantom Loads, What Are They?
After upgrading your light bulbs, start looking at the energy consumed by your appliances, TVs, computers, microwaves when you are not using them.
Anything you have plugged into the wall and are not using is draining energy and costing you money
That means all of your appliances, computers, printers, cell phones, hair dryers, TVs use energy, and cost you money even when they are turned off. Computer printers and entertainment systems are some of the biggest energy wasters. Anything with a digital display, remote control or an AC adapter drains power.
It has been estimated that the average home has about 40 such appliances and electronics that leak energy when not is use. This accounts for 75% of the electricity used by home electronics which is about 85 of the total electricity being used by your home. That might not sound like a lot but it is enough to power your home for a month!
A recent study by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows that the average California home pays between $50 -$70 every year to power electronics that are not being used. Eliminating this standby or “leaking” electricity could save homeowners between 6 – 26% on their average monthly electicity bill.
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Phantom Energy
75% of the power used to run home electronics is used when they are TURNED OFF. Amazing!
Become an energy manager and turn off or unplug all electronics, cell phone chargers and such while they are not in use.
When you are ready to replace your current electronics with energy efficient equipment, look for Energy Star Power Managed equipment, (it is no more expensive than standard electronics), and you can easily save $100 a year on your bill. That is found money! By using an Energy Saving Smart Strip with Auto Switching Technology you can turn off many electronics with just one switch.
The refrigerator not only uses the most energy in the home, it is also on 24/7, so when the time comes to upgrade, buy an energy efficient one.
With Energy Star Appliances You Can Save:
Item Cost Savings/YearCentral Air Conditioning $2500 $95Low-Flow Showerheads (2) $63 $63Washing Machine $1100 $58Refrigerator $1000 $43CFL Bulbs $323 $32Dishwasher $500 $10TOTAL =$301SOURCE: ACEEE
- Unplug appliances, cell phone chargers etc when you are not using them
- Using circuit breakers, which can either be automatic (timed) or have swithces
- Or buy an energy-saving power strip designed to not use energy when power is turned off (around $30).
- Combine several electronics on one circuit breaker with multiple sockets – an easy solution for your home entertainment products.
- Set your computer into sleep mode after 15 minutes of inactivity and turn it off when you are done.
More information on standby power use can be found at:
With a little awareness and effort, you save money and help the environment J
