Phantom load
Did you know that phantom load costs U.S. consumers more than $10 billion a year?
According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 75 percent of the electricity used to power most electronics is used while they’re off. This accounts for four to seven percent of every home’s electricity usage.
Don’t let phantom load creep up on your bill. Save energy and money by making a few simple changes:
- Unplug devices that you don’t use often, such as DVD players, stereos or TVs in spare rooms.
- Energy saver settings are available on most electronics. Check your settings to see if you can make your devices more efficient with settings like shut-off timers and screen dim.
- Power strips are the best way to organize the tangle of cords behind your entertainment system or computer. Consider buying an advanced power strip that automatically turns extra equipment off when not in use.
- Remove chargers for phones, tablets and smart watches from the outlet when not in use.
- Buy ENERGY STAR® certified products when you purchase new appliances. Many use no or low power when not in use.
Following these suggestions could help reduce your home energy consumption. If we all work to eliminate phantom load, we can save more natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Track your month-to-month energy usage and learn what uses the most energy with the HomeCheck® Online energy assessment.