The likely culprit resulting in 'phantom current loads'
in the home are electronics. When a TV or monitor are plugged in they
are in standby mode requiring some electricity. These devices, as well
as any chargers you might have are always on, even if the device is off
or not charging resulting in the phantom current load or current load
leakage. Electronics are dc not ac and thus requite a transformer to
lower the voltage from 120 to around 9V and they all have one. Stereos,
DVD players, printers, etc. all contain transformers and as a
result are on even while they're off. Standby mode on devices implies
that a small current passes through a device to allow it to be turned on
by a remote, so if it gets turned on by a remote, it is costing you money even when it is 'off.' Transformers use the electricity to form a magnetic to induce a magnetic field from one coil to the other. This magnetic field requires electricity resulting in a loss when transforming the voltage from one voltage to another. Devices that are in standby such as your TV or monitor also draw electricity even while they're off. This phantom load costs us every time we leave a phone charger plugged in, or TV sound system plugged in.
Check out the following video on energy vampires and phantom power loads
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| Power strips are versatile while providing cheap insurance |
Plugging your electronics into a power strip allows one to turn off the power strip and thus each device's transformer when they are not in use. This ensures that these devices will not be using electricity while they were off. Turning off power strips before you leave the house can be problematic and there are products on the market to help homeowners decrease their electrical consumption due to phantom electrical use. Other devices used to control this electrical leakage are controllable outlets.
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| GreenSwitch [TM] Outlet |
You can install them in your house
and are controlled by a master switch. With one simple wireless switch
you can turn off outlets connected to your electronics in the home
thereby decreasing the resulting phantom electrical use due to the
devices' transformers. One such company is GreenSwitch. GreenSwitch saves you money on your electrical bill and reduces your carbon footprint at the same time.
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| Auto-sensing Surge Protector |
The Belkin Conserve Smart AV Energy Saving Power Strip lets you control
power to your whole entertainment system with the push of a button--your
TV's power button. The green colored Master Outlet senses when your TV
is on or off and controls power to five peripheral outlets for your AV
components. When you turn your TV off, power to the peripheral
components goes off too--including standby power--so no energy is
wasted.
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Woods 22575 24-Hour Power Strip Timer, 8-Outlets, 4-Ft
|
Another idea is the power strip with a timer. This allows you to have it turn itself off when you are sleeping or at work, taking the hassle out of unplugging your electronic devices. You can also set it up so your lights are on when you get home from work or when you are away on vacation. This indoor power strip has 8-Outlets, 4 are timer controlled, and 4 are On/Off-switch controlled. it also has child prevention sliding outlet covers on each outlet. A great low cost solution to lower energy consumption and provide a safer home.
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