According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, households are using more consumer electronic devices than ever before. A study in 2022 indicated that the average American home now has over 20 connected devices.
When thinking about saving energy, common tips like turning off lights when leaving a room often come to mind. But did you know there is a sneaky energy hog that could account for as much as 10% of your home’s usage? The hidden drain is called phantom load or standby load and with the increase in electronics in the home, it is a growing problem.
Even when turned off, most electronics consume a small amount of electricity when plugged in. Chargers for mobile devices use power, even when not actively charging. Save money by unplugging electronics when not in use. Using a power strip with an off switch can disconnect multiple devices at one time or try a smart plug that you can control with your smartphone for maximum convenience.
