|
Phantom
Loads - what?
When an appliance is turned off, many people think
it is saving energy, but many appliances continue to draw power
even after they have been turned off. This is called a phantom
load. Features such as remote controls, clocks, timers, memories,
microprocessors, and instant-on features are indicators that an
appliance will continue to use power even when it has been turned
off.
Televisions and VCR's have the biggest draws of phantom loads.
Electricity use in televisions that are turned “off”
costs the U.S. millions of dollars each year. The electricity
is used to maintain the instant-on features, and to keep the filaments
in the picture tube warm 24 hours a day.
Protecting Yourself Phantom Loads
• If possible, choose an appliance that has no built-in
clock or timer. This is enough energy to run a compact fluorescent
light bulb for 12 hours.
• Avoid leaving appliances with small transformers plugged
in while not in use. Also, consider purchasing all-in-one appliances,
such as a phone with built-in answering machine and caller id
display. This will reduce the number of small transformers plugged
in. Small transformers are power supplies in plastic boxes that
plug into a standard wall outlet.
• Unplugging the appliance when it is not in use is one
way of avoiding phantom loads. An easy way to do this is to have
a power strip and switch it off when the appliance is not in use.
Just a few
thoughts as you look for ideas for you as you try to save energy.
There are many more related articles in our appliances
section. There is more specific information in the links at
the beginning of this article. They can guide you where you need
to go.
Tools!
Tools! Tools?
Appliances are the tool that you use to make living in your home
more pleasurable.
Air
purifier - do they work?
If you have allergies, or a sensitive nose - air purifiers are
a necessity to easing your sniffer.
Appliances
you have never thought about?
Check this out, I bet you have not thought about these.
More
Articles...
|
