We’ve all done it – spent a huge amount of time before leaving the house making sure everything is switched off. Why is it that your electricity bill is higher than expected? The answer to this might be phantom power or standby power. This hidden energy drain occurs when electrical devices still use power even when they are not on but still plugged in.
What is Phantom Power?
It is electricity consumed by electrical devices while they are in standby mode or not in active use. Many appliances in our homes, including TV’s, microwaves, games consoles, and phone chargers, drain power even when switched off.
You may feel that the individual costs are small for each of these devices but when combined, they can massively hike your annual electricity bill.
Devices That Contribute to Phantom Power
There are many common phantom power culprits and here are some of the biggest:
- Television and set-top boxes – these often stay in stand-by mode to enable a quicker start up.
- Games consoles – Many modern consoles continue to use energy for updates and background functionality.
- Laptop and phone chargers – Even when disconnected from a device, plugged-in chargers still use power.
- Microwaves and coffee makers: Digital clocks and standby functions keep these appliances using energy.
- Internet routers: These devices are always on without question, so they always use power.
- Refrigerators and freezers: These always need to be switched on, using continuous energy.
How Much Energy is Wasted?
As an estimation, phantom power accounts for up to 10% of household electricity use in the UK, meaning that an average household could be wasting around £50 to £100 per year!
Energy costs are always rising and reducing this waste can lead to savings!
How to Reduce Phantom Power Waste
Reducing the phantom power simple and will help you save money while being more energy-efficient. Here are some tips:
- Unplug devices when not in use – The best way to stop energy waste is to unplug items that are not being used.
- Use power strips – Plug multiple devices into a single power strip and switch it off when not needed.
- Smart plugs – These can automatically cut power to devices when not be used.
- Energy efficient appliances – When buying new appliances, check for energy-saving features such as auto shut-off or low standby power consumption.
Energy Advice Helpline, Helping You Save on Energy Bills
With the cost of living always rising, many UK homes are struggling to keep their energy bills under control. Thankfully, government grants are here to help and we’re here to help you make the most of them.
Energy Advice Helpline guides you through the grants, which can be used for home insulation, boiler upgrades, and solar panels. By improving your home’s energy efficiency, you can reduce overall energy consumption, including phantom power waste, and lower your bills.
