Kill-A-Watt and Exorcise Your Phantoms

Unplug small appliances and electronic devices, or put them on a switched outlet or power strip that you can click off when not in use.  Many TVs, DVD players, computer peripherals, and chargers use electricity (often called “phantom loads”) even when they are switched off.  For instance, the phantom load from a TV with a VCR and/or DVD player can easily cost $10 a year; even if it’s never turned on.  Anything with a light or clock is using energy.

Curious about how much electricity your devices are using?  Buy an energy monitor.  These are inexpensive meters that monitor how much electricity is being used by an appliance or electronic device instantaneously and over time.

Kill-A-Watt and Exorcise Your Phantoms

Unplug small appliances and electronic devices, or put them on a switched outlet or power strip that you can click off when not in use.  Many TVs, DVD players, computer peripherals, and chargers use electricity (often called “phantom loads”) even when they are switched off.  For instance, the phantom load from a TV with a VCR and/or DVD player can easily cost $10 a year; even if it’s never turned on.  Anything with a light or clock is using energy.

Curious about how much electricity your devices are using?  Buy an energy monitor.  These are inexpensive meters that monitor how much electricity is being used by an appliance or electronic device instantaneously and over time.