One of the best ways to help with your homes energy conservation is to reduce your phantom loads. Now what is a phantom load?, How much can this phantom load help reduce your homes costs?, What appliances in your home are considered phantom loads? These are just a few of the questions we will try and answer in this section. The answers to these questions will not only help the average homeowner reduce their costs to the utility company, but will help to conserve energy on a global scale.
When a person turns off an appliance it is really off? Most people don't realize, however, that many appliances may still be consuming electricity even when they are switched off. These "phantom loads" can consume a significant amount of electricity. If you are interested in reducing your energy costs, it is important to know about these phantom loads and which electrical devices are consuming electric 24 hours a day.
Devices that create phantom loads can sometimes be recognized because of clocks or lights that continue to operate after the appliance is turned off. VCRs, stereo systems, microwave ovens and stoves are often equipped with timers that run 24 hours a day. Also though some devices you may never know even are using electric.
All devices operated with a remote-control are consuming some power. This device has to stay in a "ready state" in order to be switched on by the remote control. The ready state consumes less electricity than when the device is "on", but over a 24-hour period the energy consumption can be substantial.
A phantom load is an electrical device that is operating 24 hours a day 365 days a year, even if you think the device is turned off. The average home in the US has over 25 phantom loads, and this number is growing quickly with new appliances and electrical devices on the increase.
A phantom load consists of an electrical circuit that has a transformer, which is powered from a 120-volt source outlet. This device serves as a power supply for an electric circuit, which usually has a clock or memory and stores information.
Phantom loads make up approx. 2%-8% of your electric costs. While you might not think one will offset your electric utility bill, try 25. An average home has two-three cordless phones, two TV’s, and this adds up. Below you will find a list of some of the most common phantom loads. Also, keep in mind that as technology grows, so does our phantom load demand.
One phantom load that people often don't notice is your clothes dyer. While it might not seem like a phantom load, it probably is using some energy while not in operation. There are electronics in the dyer used for clocking,or timing,sensors which maybe on all the time even when you are not running your dryer.
Once you turn on your electric dyer, it becomes one of the biggest energy users in your home. One suggestion I tell people is to try drying their clothes in a room when they are gone to work, just like the old fashioned days. You can seriously reduce your electric usage by doing this. It will also help by keeping moisture in your home during the winter months, thus saving on humidifiers running and adding to that electric bill.
How many phantom loads do you have in your home? Here are just a few.
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Lap top plug
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Weed Whaker charger
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Stereo
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X-Box
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Game Boy
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Some Thermostats
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Some hair dyers
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Computer speakers
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Microwave
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DVD players
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Motion detectors
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Lighting dimmers
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Washer
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Dryer
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Power strips
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Printer
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Cordless phone
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VCR
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TV
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Monitor
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Garage Door Openers
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Computer
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Door Bell
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Cordless Toothbrush Charger
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How much can I save?
When we did a site study of one home, we found that by reducing the number of phantom loads by 8, saved the customer $7 in one month. This cost savings will vary depending on the amount of phantom load reductions, and the actual phantom load amperage draw. (Every appliance is different)
Great Energy Tips
You can reduce you phantom loads and electric costs by doing a few simple things.
1. Unplug your toaster, coffee maker, hair drier, some televisions, power strips. It is good to note that some appliances have memory stored in the ic chips within the units. If you do unplug these units you may loose stored information (i.e.: Picture and channel settings on your television)
2. Replace that doorbell with a battery powered doorbell chime.
3. If you have a nightlight and don't need it, then remove it.
4. Use a battery-powered thermostat. Most batteries these days in a thermostat will last a year or two because the units do not use much energy.
5. Install battery powered smoke and carbon dioxide detectors
6. Consider one freezer instead of two, consolidate.
7. Go Solar or Wind! (New incentives available!)
Here is a list of some of the most energy using appliances in an average home:
These are the largest and account for over 60% of your energy bill. If you can afford it, change these out to Energy Star!
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Furnace
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Air Conditioner
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Refrigerator
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Freezers
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Cloth Dryer
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Electric Baseboard Heaters
This section accounts for over 30% of your energy bill
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Microwave
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Some Toasters
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Some Hair Dryers
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Computers, Printers, Monitors
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Television
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TV games
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Cable Box
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