- What is it? *Phantom Load/Phantom Current/Vampire Power/Standby Power, created by appliances that continuously draw power when not in use. - How to identify Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: *Turn off lights, anything with an LED light glowing is drawing current *Touch, if it's consuming energy it's warm to touch *If it needs to be reset after power failure *If it operates by remote control
The Facts
- Estimate: *75% electricity to power electronics is consumed when machines are turned off - >140 watts=>1,200 kilowatts per year at 16 cents per kilowatt hour *Average homeowner loses $190/year or $15.83/month from phantom loads. - What to unplug: * Some things light smoke and carbin monoxide detectors can't be unplugged for safety. * Somethings are impractical to unplug: alarm clock *Average family can save around $6/ by unplugging unnnecessary applicances and electriconis -What to do? * Automatic power strips, about $40, automatically stops current from flowing to appliances plugged into the strip when they're not in use.
Money
Enviromental Impact
Power Plants that produce the electricty we use produce pollution, so by reducing the power needed, you can reduce engery!