Reduce Phantom Power Usage
- by Brandon Fuller on Thursday, February 12, 2009
- Comments
Did you know 40% of all electricity is used to power apliances while they’re turned off? This “phantom power” is costing you money each month and wasting electricity. How can you protect yourself from this waste?
The best thing you can do is unplug anything that isn’t being used. This includes computers, TV’s, DVD players, gadget chargers, speakers, coffee makers, etc. All of these products continue to use energy for unnecessary purposes when they’re switched off.
Unfortunately it can be difficult to reach around furniture to unplug everything. Your best option is to plug things like the TV, DVD player, cable box, stereo, etc. into a surge protector with an “off” switch. If your home has electrical outlets connected to light switches, plugging the surge protector into one of these outlets means cutting off power is as easy as flicking the switch.
Sphere: Related ContentAbout the Author
Brandon Fuller has written 178 stories on this site.
Brandon Fuller works at the intersection of environmental policy and communications. Currently, he publishes a blog on environmental issues and green living that has been featured in the Washington Post Express, Washingtonian.com, GreenPlanet.com and more. He is also a member of the advisory committee for CarbonFreeDC, a grassroots initiative dedicated to mobilizing DC-area residents to dramatically reduce local carbon emissions. He recently earned a law degree in environmental law and policy and has served as both a Law Clerk and Legislative Assistant for the State of Florida.
