Are Your Electronics Using Phantom Power?

By Kari Kylo, BC Hydro Power Smart

Phantom Power, also commonly referred to as standby power, vampire power or phantom load, is defined as small amounts of electric power that is still drawn by electrical electronics while they are switched off or in standby mode, and not unplugged.

The amount of power wasted by individual household electronics is typically minimal, but when added to the combined amount of wasted power of all devices within a household, the amount becomes significant. Phantom power can account for 10 per cent of an average household's annual electricity consumption. Phantom power occurs in most electronics that use electricity 24 hours a day, such as printers, scanners, modems, VCRs, televisions, set-top boxes, stereos, DVD players, computers, kitchen appliances, and most devices that have a power supply.

Besides unplugging your electronics when not in use, here are some tips as to how your family can save on your yearly energy expenses by reducing your electronics’ energy usage:

• Make sure your computer, printer and other peripherals are connected to a power strip or surge protector. When you are finished using them, turn off the switch to prevent them from drawing phantom power. If you don’t use a power strip, unplug the equipment when not in use to ensure that there is no phantom power drawn from the electrical outlet.

• Make sure that you enable the "sleep" or "power save" mode on your computer if it must be left on when you are not using it. At full power, your computer and monitor probably draw about 125 watts (W) of power; in sleep mode, they would use about 10 W.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label if you are planning on purchasing any new electronics. ENERGY STAR TVs use about 30 per cent less energy than a standard unit.

• Look for electronics that are sized to meet your needs.  A 42” LCD TV uses less energy then a 52” LCD TV and may actually fit your room better.

• Use a laptop computer instead of a desktop computer. A typical desktop PC, with display, consumes about 10 times that of a laptop computer.

• Don’t utilize screen savers. Some screen savers actually use additional electricity to create complex graphics. If you use a screen saver, be sure your monitor is set to display images for a predetermined period of time and then enter sleep mode.

• Consider properly recycling all electronics that you are not using on a regular basis.

To learn more about BC Hydro’s Power Smart residential programs such as the refrigerator buy-back program, discounts on ENERGY STAR light fixtures and CFLs, mail-in rebates, ENERGY STAR windows, and PST exemptions, visit www.bchydro.com/powersmart.