Phantom Power

Phantom power is the energy your electronics use even when they are off. Many people don't know that when your television, coffee maker and other electronics and appliances are off, they still use energy! Depending on the number of items you have plugged in, phantom power (sometimes called standby power) can account for approximately 5-10% of your energy consumption.

Tips to reduce your phantom power usage
  • Unplug anything you’re not using like a toaster oven, printer or anything in a guest bedroom. Electric toothbrush chargers, gaming systems and DVD players are also good examples of things that don’t need to be plugged in when not in use.
  • Unplug charging cables for your laptop and phone when they’re not in use. Even cords will continue to use power when left plugged in.
  • Plug all your devices into a power bar, and switch it off when you’re done using it.
  • Smart plugs and power bars are also a great option as they can be set to turn off at a certain time. Some will also cut power to secondary devices, such as a DVD player, when the main device, such as a TV, gets turned off.
  • If you’re going on vacation, or leaving your home for an extended period of time, unplug as many devices and appliances as possible.
  • Buy ENERGY STAR® certified devices and appliances, which use less energy in standby mode than standard models.
  • Ask your cable and internet providers if they carry ENERGY STAR® certified set-top boxes, which can lower your energy usage without affecting the quality of the service.