Energy Solutions Center
Phantom Loads
BITS Smart Strip Power Strip
The Smart Strip Power Strip works to switch your devices on and off automatically, helping you to save money on your electric bills.
When you shut down your computer, or the computer goes into sleep mode, all of the peripherals (printer, monitor, etc.) will also turn off. When you turn on your computer, the peripherals will all turn back on automatically.
Price, 10 outlet: $39.95
Price, 7 outlet: $29.95
The Power-Saving SurgeArrest not only safeguards your equipment from damaging power surges or spikes, it also helps lower your electric bill. "Master/Controlled" outlets are designed to detect when your computer is asleep, then automatically powers "off" connected peripherals to prevent wasteful power consumption.
Price, 7 outlet: $32.00
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This unique 8 outlet power strip features an integrated mechanical 24 hour timer, with 48 on-off settings per day.
Price: $18.95
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Home electronics are responsible for about 9% of household electricity use according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Many of these products continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are in standby/off power mode. We call this power consumption "standby power" or "phantom" loads.
These "phantom" loads occur in products such as DVDs, televisions, stereos, computers and kitchen appliances. An individual product draws relatively little standby power, but a typical American home has forty products constantly drawing power. Together, these amount to almost 10% of residential electricity use (Source: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory).
These helpful tips can reduce phantom loads throughout your home:
- Unplug devices and appliances such as toasters, microwaves, coffee makers, etc. when not in use.
- Buy a watt-meter to measure the amount of standby power used by devices in your home and take targeted action.
- Use a switchable power strip for clusters of computer or video products to switch everything off when not in use.
- Use a power saving power strip that detects when your computer is asleep (or when there has been no motion near the computer), then automatically powers off connected peripherals.
