What are phantom loads?
When you’re finished watching TV and turn it off, it’s no longer using electricity, right? Wrong. Most electronics, such as TVs, computers, kitchen appliances, and anything with a clock, are still drawing a phantom load even when powered off.
While this small amount of power may seem insignificant when looking at a single device, which could use as little as 0-1 Watts, if you take a step back and look at everything in the house that’s plugged in, the energy usage and cost becomes more substantial. Let’s look at an example.
The average Fairbanks household uses roughly 700 kWh per month. Assuming 5 percent of that is phantom load, that adds up to about $8 a month, or almost $100 per year, to power electronics that you aren’t actually using (based on 21 cents/kilowatt-hour, Golden Valley Electric Associations 2019 rates).
Phantom loads are commonly caused by the following:
- Black box power adapters without on/off switches
- Devices with LED lights/displays that are constantly on (oven timers, microwave clocks, etc.)
- Electronics that idle in standby mode, especially if the device has a light indicating it is on standby.
- Power supplies/cords that generate heat when plugged in – if it feels warm when powered off, it’s producing a phantom load.
What can you do to lower phantom loads?
First, do your homework: Your best defense against phantom loads is to know which electronics have higher phantom load. Using an energy usage monitor, you can calculate the rough cost to power a device as well as know just how much power your devices are using when they’re turned off.
- Get an energy usage monitor. These relatively inexpensive devices are a great way to pinpoint problem areas.
- Test your devices. Using the energy usage monitor, write down the Watts used while the device is on and again while the device is off.
- Calculate the cost. Visit the CCHRC website for a simple energy calculator that will show you how much it costs to power the device. Enter the watts used while the device power is off, and how many hours per day the device is left plugged in but not on, and you’ll get a rundown of how much the phantom loads cost per day, week, month, year, and even how much they cost if plugged in 24 hours a day.
- Check your bill. With your power bill in hand, the calculator can also tell you what percentage of your bill is caused by the load of each device you test. The numbers may be small, but add up the number of devices and things could get pricey.
Second, make some changes: there are several options, some free, that can help reduce your energy costs.
- Unplug electronics when not in use. No plug, no power.
- Use a surge protector. For a more practical solution to unplugging everything, you can plug your electronics into a surge protector and switch it off when the electronics are not in use.
- Use a “smart” power strip that detects when a device is powered on and off and shuts off power when you’re not using the device. Similar products can turn off the power to idle devices based on the length of idle time you specify.
- Buy Energy-Star rated electronics. Electronics with an Energy Star rating use less energy and are typically more efficient than other devices, saving power and money. Visit http://www.energystar.gov for more information.
- Buy products with low standby power. If you must leave things plugged in, buy devices that use less power. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy website.
In terms of energy conservation and savings, every little bit helps. Taking even the smallest steps, checking your house for electronics that draw phantom loads, and working to eliminate them will save you money.