Eco-Tip: Eliminating Phantom Loads
by on 12. 2.04
In Nov. 18 post on "phantom" power loads, TH told you that household electronics in standby mode are wasting a shocking amount of electricity. George Mokroy wrote in a tip that can help us all save more energy: "Any appliance that has a phantom load--usually an 'instant on' capability like TVs and VCRs--should be plugged into a power strip with an on/off switch. When you finish using it, turn off the power strip instead of the device and you eliminate the phantom load." Thanks George! [by MO]
Using a power strip and shutting it off manually can be difficult as those are usually behind furniture and hard to reach. So few actually do that. Remember, it's all about convenience.
You can get a "smart strip" for around $ 30 that has a master outlet besides the normal others. Whatever is plugged in there will control power to the other appliances attached to the strip. So if you have your computer plugged into the master outlet, it will totally shut off or on (to standby at least) all other peripherals once you turn the computer off or on. This thing pays for itself
Just google smart strip. It's available at Amazon too.
For around the same price you can have it all remote:
buy a remote control outlet system such as Lacrosse RS-204, which comes with 2 outlet receivers and a remote. Place the receivers in the wall outlet plug a regular power strip into that and you have remote control over all the devices (+ their phantom loads) on that strip. There is a litte battery power needed for the system, but compared with the savings it is potentially a major gain. You just have to remember to hit that off button before not using the appliances. Only this time you can do it from your bed.
I traced my phantom loads with a "Kill-a-watt" meter and found out that just my stereo on standby all year would cost me $ 23.15. That is when not ever turning it on, it's only standby!
Check your phantom loads and you'd be surprised.