Many people have noticed hikes in their energy bills recently. Electricity is just the latest thing to be squeezed thanks to current world events and it may feel like there’s not much you can do about it. While you can’t control how much the electric company charges you per month, you can look into exactly what uses electricity when and how much.
You may be surprised to find that even your ideal appliances eat up a lot of ambient electricity simply by being plugged in.
While this won’t solve all your problems when it comes to electric uses, it is a big step towards lowering your bill and your carbon footprint.
Below is some information about appliances and which ones still chew up electricity even when they’re turned off.
Phantom load
Unless you work in the electrical industry or have talked to an electrician before, you have probably never heard of the terms phantom load or vampire energy. If they sound a little unsettling that’s because they are. These are currents that are used up even when something is turned off but still plugged in. The unfortunate reality is that as much as 5% of your electrical use comes from phantom loads and 75% of that energy is wasted.
The offending appliances
There are several common appliances that utilize electricity despite being turned off, simply by being plugged in. The most notable of these is your kitchen appliances. This means microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers, stand mixers, blenders, and other appliances you turn off but leave plugged in throughout the day.
Another big energy drain is anything in your entertainment center including TV’s, game consoles, and speakers. A third common culprit is phone charges, which many people leave plugged in throughout their home during the day even when a phone is not attached to them.
How to minimize phantom load
The first thing you can do is check your appliances and plugs by using a phantom load calculator to help you understand what is using the most ambient energy. The next thing to do is unplug anything that is not in use such as coffee makers and small kitchen appliances as well as phone chargers.
Another option is to utilize a power strip (make sure to check safety requirements for appliances as not all items can be plugged into a power strip) by grouping appliances on one and being careful not to overload it. Turn off screen saver modes for computers in favor of simply allowing the computer to go to sleep.
Additional Questions
How much can I save by unplugging items?
This depends on which appliances you unplug and how much energy they’re contributing to your utility bill. On average, taking the above steps can save you $20 a year on utility costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
What if there are items I can’t unplug?
Ultimately, some of these things are more of a hassle than not to unplug (such as an oven or refrigerator). We’re not suggesting you unplug everything in your house but unplug what you can and what you cannot see if there are ways to reduce its energy use. For example, dim the brightness on TV or computer screens when in use and turn off screen saver modes in favor of putting items on standby.
Talk to an electrician at Bratcher Electric in Wayne today about your energy consumption and ways to make sure your home is running efficiently. With more than 50 years of experience, we have been offering electrical services to homes and businesses throughout Michigan with complete customer satisfaction. We understand the importance of keeping your electrical service operating and safe and are available at any time of the day or night for emergency electrical services. Do you have a back up power plan? Call us for a Free Estimate!