Unplug Silent Energy Embezzlers

Article By:Joan Bradshaw
Director of the University of Florida /IFAS Citrus County Extension

Did you know that even when switched "off", most appliances and electronics in your home will continue drawing a little bit of power as long as they remain plugged into the wall. According to the government's ENERGY STAR program, a whopping 40% of the electricity that home electronics use is consumed while the products are turned off. The "phantom load," as it's sometimes called, is a result of many different household items. Some of the most problematic energy-drainers while "off" are:

• TiVo
• Cable boxes or satellite dish boxes
• Sound systems
• VCRs and DVD players
• Computers
• Computer printers
• Cable modems/DSL
• TVs

These items often use 10 to 50 watts each time they are in the "off" or in standby mode. This amounts to 6 to 30 kilowatt-hours a month, if they're off but not unplugged 20 hours a day.

Other appliances that are prone to energy embezzlement while in the "off" position are microwaves, rice cookers, breadmakers, coffee pots, and cell phone charger which typically use less than 5 watts. One simple way to make sure you're not wasting energy is to plug many appliances into one power strip; then you can turn it on and off, which is a little easier than unplugging and replugging everything individually.

While it may not seem like much, standby power accounts for about 10% of residential electricity use nationwide. Unplugging appliances is not only one way to trim your utility bill but every kilowatt-hour is equivalent to 1.55 pounds of CO2 emissions. This means if you use 30-60 less kWh a month, 550-1,100 pounds less of CO2 go into the air every year.

Dr. Joan Bradshaw is the natural resource conservation faculty for specialized programs in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter County University of Florida/IFAS Extension Service.

Citrus County Extension links the public with the University of Florida/IFAS’s knowledge, research, and resources to address youth, family, community, and agricultural needs. Programs and activities offered by the Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, handicap, sex, religion, or national origin. Citrus County – Providing Solutions for Your Life.

For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations, please contact our office at least five working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be given to the request. For hearing impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Center at 1-800-955-8770 (voice) or 1-800 –955-8771 (TDD).

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