What is Phantom Energy Use?

Even when your electronics are switched off, they might be increasing your energy costs.

Phantom energy use occurs when electronics use energy while not in use due to still being plugged into an outlet. TVs, computers, phone chargers, game consoles, and even washing machines use phantom energy when they are not actively being used. This phenomenon can quickly create burdensome expenses. The University of Michigan reports that phantom energy can add up to about 10% of a household's energy costs!

Not only does phantom energy use increase the cost of powering your home, but it also has impacts that are detrimental to our environment. Earthday.org states that each year, 100 billion kilowatt hours of phantom energy is used, releasing around 80 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

How can I cut back on my electric bill?

Now that we know how spooky phantom energy can be, here's some actions we can take to exorcise it from our homes.

Start by unplugging appliances and chargers when you aren't using them. Unplug your toaster, microwave, coffee maker, lamps, computer monitor, and any other electronic that does not need to be on 24/7 (like a plug-in clock or pet drinking fountain). A simple way to shut off multiple electronics at once is to use power strips. That way, you can unplug one power strip that provides power to multiple electronics rather than unplugging a handful of items one by one. Quick tip: never use a power strip for high-capacity appliances, like refrigerators or washing machines to avoid overloading the strip and causing malfunctions.

Making an investment in ENERGY STAR rated appliances can help cut down on wasted energy. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to operate efficiently and effectively while using as little phantom energy as possible.

Your home can be safe from ghastly phantom energy expenses. Even better news? NeighborWorks® Toledo Region offers no-cost home energy upgrades to income-eligible homeowners and renters to assist Toledo's residents with their home energy goals. Check out our Community Connections program, download and application, and start saving on your electric bills!