from Jordan in Brookfield, WI:
#146
What is phantom power?
It's power used by appliances and electronics when they're off.
There are a number of terms out there right now (standby power, vampire power, vampire draw, phantom load, phantom power, leaking electricity, etc.) which are being used to describe what is actually "Standby power” or “phantom load".
"Standby power" or "phantom load” is the energy is the energy that appliances and electronics use even when turned off—to power features such as clock displays, remote controls and indicator lights. This wasted energy accounts for four cents to seven cents of every dollar you spend on electricity and takes a hefty toll on the environment. Your TV, for example, has a phantom load of between 5 and 15 watts as it sits idle - but not sleeping - waiting for a command from the remote control.
Don’t let phantom power scare you—stopping these ghosts can be as easy as pulling a few plugs!
- Unplug household appliances and electronics from wall outlets when not in use
- For convenience, plug multiple devices into a power strip and turn the strip off when you’re not using them
- Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and electronics, which use up to 60% less energy than standard models
- Unplug battery chargers when batteries are fully charged or the charger is not in use