Phantom Loads - Waverly Light and Power

Common Computer
Misconceptions
There are several myths about
how computers use energy. One
myth is that equipment lasts
longer if it is never turned off.
This may have been true with
early computers, but not with
computers we use today.
In reality, computers and
monitors save energy only
when unplugged or when the
power management features are
activated. Keep your computer on
power save mode to save energy.
Another myth is that monitor
screen savers reduce energy
use. This isn’t true; it takes just
as much energy to power a
screen saver as it does to power
a normal screen. Better energysaving
strategies are manually
turning monitors off or setting
them to automatically switch to
sleep mode.
Consider buying a laptop for your
next computer upgrade. They use
much less energy than desktop
computers.
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WHILE PROVIDING FOR TODAY
Phantom Loads
Plugging more money into
your electric bill than you’d like?
You may be paying for phantom loads.
The amount of energy
consumed by a typical U.S.
home has more than doubled
since 1980. One reason for this
increase is the growing number
of electrical devices used in the
home. From kitchen appliances
to computers, we are dependent
on electricity to power our
homes and our lifestyles.
Many electronics eat up
unnecessary energy.
Appliances, such as
refrigerators and centralized
heating systems, cycle on
and off to keep your food cool
and your house warm. Other
appliances like TV’s, computers,
modems, and cell phone
chargers often use energy
without performing a useful
service. These useless energy
draws are known as phantom
loads. The energy wasted over
time due to phantom loads can
be substantial. Identifying and
eliminating phantom loads will
lower your home energy use, save
you money over time, and help
lower your carbon footprint. For
help identifying phantom loads in
your home, visit our website.
The US Energy Information
Administration projects that
by 2015 electronic products
alone will account for
18% of total home electric
consumption.
Read on to find out how to
stop this from happening in
your home!
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Reduce your energy consumption
Simple ways to reduce phantom loads in your home
The easiest way to stop phantom loads is to unplug all
electrical devices when not in use. However, we all know it
can be difficult to get to the plugs behind furniture. Consider
buying power strips with a real off switch (called a smart
strip) and plugging multiple devides into it. Power strips
make it easy to turn off many devices at once when they
are not needed. Some strips, such as the one pictured, will
automatically shut off the power to some devices when they
are turned off.
WHERE’S THE PHANTOM LOAD?
See if you can spot the energy users in your home.
Many appliances cause phantom
loads. An easy way to spot an energy
user is to look for anything with instant
on features, which can be identified
as a light or clock. Appliances with
remote controls also use energy all
of the time. Chargers left plugged in
use electriciy even when they are not
charging anything.
Most homes have many devices using
unnecessary electricity, and the trend
is growing. Count how many of these
devices are in your home and then
take steps to reduce your phantom
loads and save money.
Phantom Load Examples
• VCRs\DVRs
• DVD players
• Audio systems
• Computers and printers
• TVs
• Set-top (cable) boxes
• Microwave ovens
• Coffee makers
• Air conditioning systems with remote
control
• Devices with a standby light or clock
• Video game consoles (e.g., Nintendo,
Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony
PLAYSTATION® 3)
• Fans with remote controls
R
iCC
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WHILE PROVIDING FOR TODAY
1002 ADAMS PARKWAY
PO BOX 329
WAVERLY, IOWA 50677
PHONE 319.352.6251
FAX 319.352.6254
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