How Phantom Power is Wasting Your Money

Phantom power, also known as standby or vampire power, is pretty unfair when you think about it. You turned the TV off, so it’s not using any electricity, right? Wrong. Appliances and devices can still draw power when they’re not on, and this power can add up to a significant chunk of your electricity bill.

So what can be done? Well, you can beat phantom power, and we’ve got some tips on how to avoid wasting money on unused electricity.

How Phantom Power Works

Your appliances may need time to warm up before being able to operate fully, and a television is a great example. If you leave your TV plugged in all day, it likely just clicks on in a second. But if you’ve unplugged the device, it may take a few seconds to turn on, and you may see a loading screen. These few seconds, while seemingly harmless, make a big difference. Your TV is drawing power in order to be able to skip that warm-up session. You’re not using the TV, but it’s still using power.

This happens on a lot of devices, most notably:

  • Gaming consoles
  • Chargers
  • Countertop appliances
  • Digital clocks/docking stations

How to Avoid Wasted Energy

The easiest solution to avoid phantom power is to unplug devices that are not in use. Even if your phone or computer isn’t actively charging, unplug the charger. A simple hack is to use power strips or outlets that can be turned off with a switch. This gives you the energy-saving benefits at the flip of a switch without worrying about haphazard plugs.

You can also help cut down on waste at the device level. If your appliances have “auto-off,” “standby mode,” or “energy-saver” function, use it. And shorten the time it takes for devices to automatically turn off, in order to cut down on that standby power. You can also turn off any features that may have your devices running in the background.

Here to Help You

It can be tough navigating all there is to know in the world of home electrical. Luckily, the HedgeHog Electric team is here to help. Just call us at (866) 605-2113 for more information!