It starts with the alarm clock, the electric razor and the hair dryer. There’s the desktop computer and its components. Don’t forget the television, stereo, DVD player and video game systems. It all adds up, doesn’t it? We often have more electronics in our homes than we realize. When combined, they can add a significant amount to a home’s energy use – sometimes in ways we don’t notice.
Even when turned off, many electronic devices still draw energy. Some devices need energy to run clocks and maintain channel memories when in standby mode, while others continue to draw electricity so long as they’re plugged in – a process referred to as “phantom load.” In standby mode, large TVs and computer systems can draw as much power as a light bulb. No wonder it’s estimated that as much as 10% of a home’s energy use comes from phantom loads alone!
Apart from simply unplugging devices when not in use, there are a few easy steps that can help you reduce phantom loads.
Connect your devices to a power bar so you can switch them all off or on when needed or use a power bar with a timer so it draws power only at predetermined times. Another option is to use an energy meter to hunt for phantom loads. Energy meters can tell you how much energy an appliance or device is drawing from an outlet, allowing you to determine which devices draw the most power when on or off.
One way to reduce the overall power consumption of your electronics is to seek the most efficient models before you buy them. Visit the Natural Resources Canada web site at www.energystar.nrcan.gc.ca for more information, or to view a list of qualifying devices and models.
Technology web site cnet.com offers useful energy efficiency guides that can help you find the most efficient television and trim the energy usage of your laptop or desktop computer.
Visit http://reviews.cnet.com/energy-efficiency-guide to access their guides.
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