Timing is Everything

So many of us have clocks, timers, routers, servers, ovens, TVs, cable boxes, DVRs, DVDs, CD players and many other appliances burn electricity even when we turn them "off". This wasted standby power drain is a.k.a as the phantom load, vampire load or leaking energy. LBNL estimated that this load was approximately 5-6% of the total residential energy cost - that costs the U.S. over 3 Billion (yep, that is with a B) a year. That is a lot of wasted cash in these times, and a lot of wasted energy. Here is how you start to get rid of the phantom load.

1. Unplug things that are not in use. Think - cell phone chargers, ipod, unnecessary radios, clocks etc. Leave your alarms and smoke detectors plugged in!


2. Beat standby mode - Turn off computers, servers,routers, monitors (at work too!), TVs, and all other electronics completely. The easiest way to do this is to have all of these items plugged into a power strip and turn it off when you are done or leaving. Honestly, I have a hard time remembering to turn all this off in the evening, so I have made two sites in our home automatic with a timed power strip. I have everything power down at 11:00 pm and turn back on at 6:00 am. The kind I got were a bit painful to program. They were $34 + shipping, but phantom loads run the average home anywhere from $40-120+ per year depending upon the size and quantity - so I think we should make back the $70 back within the year. Interested? http://www.gardeners.com/ or fish stores - I guess these are quite useful for larger aquariums. Who knew?


3. If buying new - buy low or no watt off mode appliances.


4. Consider wind up or solar instead of plug in.


5. Use voicemail - not answering machines.

Want more info?

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~recycle/ssec/download/Phantom%20Load.pdf

http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/Mod1/Flow/leaking.htm

http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/Mod1/Flow/leaking.htm