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Zapping Phantom Loads
Does this sound like a job for GhostBusters?
OK, I know, those movies hit the theaters a couple of decades ago, but I thought about them when I mentioned this topic in my intro blog…
What are phantom loads, why is it important to zap them, and (once again) what can you do to lighten your load?
In electricity lingo, phantom loads refer to the steady loads in electronic devices that consume electricity out-of-sight, out-of-mind while the devices are supposedly turned off. Yep, even when you think your computers, kitchen appliances, televisions, etc. are off, they’re really not! Phantom loads are affectionately also called energy vampires.
Think this is a minor problem? Well, somewhere between 2% and 40% (depending on the source being referenced) of an average household’s total electricity consumed is used by phantom loads. That wide range in percentages (mysterious!) got my attention, but then so did this percentage, provided by The U.S. Department of Energy: “In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.” Now that doesn’t sound like a minor problem to me!
Finding ways to zap phantom loads on a daily basis can reduce consumption of electric energy not just during peak demand times but all year long. Some simple solutions include: (1) plugging a device (printer, stereo, etc.) into a switch-controlled outlet and turning it on and off at the wall switch; (2) unplugging appliances like coffee makers, microwaves, and toasters when not in use; and (3) plugging multiple devices (computer/peripherals or home entertainment system) into a power strip and using the power strip switch to turn the power on and off. Once again, better energy solutions…
So if you haven’t done so already, start zapping your phantom loads. Then tell your friends and neighbors about this little-known, ghost-busting, energy-saving tactic.
Thanks for staying plugged in to this blog for this series of three ‘better energy solution’ posts. As always, I’m energized and hope you are too. The General Assembly convenes tomorrow, January 9th, so there will be lots to blog about in the political arena soon.
Just a point about the cable box. You'll have to keep this on at all times, or so I have heard. The cable company sends a ping occassionally to see if anyone is at the other end; the unit will respond with it's id. In this way the cable company identifies whether the cable user is properly authorized. If it does not get a return ping, then you'll be cut off. The answer to this is to connect the cable box to the wall directly and then put all the perephials on a strip. Zap em.
Keith
Posted by keithmiller
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