The energy that appliances, electronics, chargers etc consume when they are not in use is called "Phantom Power" or "Phantom Consumption" and is simply just wasted energy! On a positive note, it is really easy to reduce your contribution to Phantom Consumption!
I first encountered the idea of Phantom Energy consumption during Don training at Queen's University in 2008. Some representatives for the Residence Energy Challenge (REC) addressed it, among several other ideas, as a way for students to reduce their energy consumption.
So, simply unplug your electronics when they are not in use!
However, I have heard it can be hassle to constantly unplug and plug-in your appliances! Well, you're in luck because an easy solution exists!
Plug all of your electronics into a power bar, and turn it off when those electronics are not in use. The hardest thing is remembering to actually turn the power bar off! I have a note tacked near my bed and bed room door to remind myself to switch them off when I leave my room/apartment and when I go to bed. Yes, it's just that easy - so go and do it now!
Here are pictures of my "home upgrades!"
Hey Heidi, would you know if you unplug the main energy consuming item, but leave the plug in, if it still drains energy. So for example your battery to your computer is plugged to the wall, but your computer is not plugged into the battery?
ReplyDeleteHi Agi!
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing well :)
The answer is yes, even if the device, like a computer cable or cell phone charger isn't actually plugged into the device, they still draw power! (crazy, no?). How much depends on the individual device/charger setup though. Often if you leave these chargers plugged in, they are warm to the touch so they are wasting power!
I have read a number of sources that confirm this, but here are just a few:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Want-to-Save-Money-and-Electricity?--Eliminate-Phantom-Power-Drain!&id=2800157
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-computing/articles/23083.aspx
I'm surprised by the 75% figure! That is far higher than I would have expected; I'm used to idle electronics drawing just fractions of a milli-amp. Chargers that heat up even when no "load" is attached strike me as being poorly engineered...
ReplyDeleteThe horror, the horror.
Yeah, Hack on Wheels,
ReplyDeleteI was also quite surprised by the figure. But I've seen pretty much the same numbers in several other articles. I don't think it is every appliance that draws this much phantom electricity, and those that are remotely operated (tv's, stereos) are the worst culprits it seems. However, I think its worth the small effort it takes me to switch off a power bar.
I don't agree, Heidi... (Seems I'm in a disageeable mood today.) Phantom power is a red herring. Hunt for the biggies, such as a clothes dryer or a dishwasher or an electric space heater or baseboard and leave the poor cable or cellphone charger in peace. Again, do the maths!
ReplyDeleteP.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteI say that I have to disagree with your disagreement.
I did quite a bit of reading for this, as I do for all of my posts before I post.Here are some sources from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and other reliable sources for you to read to convince yourself:
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter/faq.html#vampire
http://standby.lbl.gov/standby.html
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.vampires
I hope that you start doing the maths and the research too, because I already am!
Cheers,
Heidi