My roommate unplugs our TV when she leaves the house to save electricity. I say it can’t use enough to justify the hassle. Who is right?
Whether it’s worth the hassle of having to plug in and reset electronics each time you return is up to you two. The fact is, however, most electronics continue to use electricity even when they’re not being used for their primary purpose. Typically this is called “standby power,” and when added up it accounts for a large amount of wasted electricity in this country.
• What is standby power? Most electronics use electricity whenever they’re plugged in, in order to energize internal circuits or sensors needed to operate remote controls, timers and even LED lights. Even those external power supplies we use to charge small electronics, such as cell phones, waste electricity when they are left plugged in after charging.
• How much electricity is wasted in standby power? Individually the electronics waste very little electricity while standing idle, but according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, a typical home has about 40 products continually drawing electricity. “Together these amount to almost 10 percent of residential electricity use,” says its website.
The lab found that standby power losses vary by type of device and, of course, how energy efficient it is and its power supply is.
For instance, a set-top digital cable box, with DVR capability, draws an average of about 44 watts of electricity when turned off. An idle, but on, desktop computer uses an average 74 watts, but only about 21 watts when in the sleep mode.
To contrast, an idle microwave draws an average measly 3 watts.
You can find the lab’s full report on various products at http://standby.lbl.gov.
• Shopping for energy-saving electronics: Energy Star continues to expand its ratings of products that are more energy efficient in use and in the standby mode. Energy Star-qualified computers have efficient internal and external power supplies. Energy Star-qualified TVs must consume 1 watt or less when in standby mode, and overall use about 30 percent less energy than standard TVs.
• Stop wasting standby power: Unplugging devices is one way to cut standby power waste. However, as you point out, it can be a hassle. But unplugging seldom-used electronics, such as a bedroom TV or second computer, may make sense.
Plug other electronics into a “smart” power strip that monitors electricity being drawn and cuts the electricity when they’re not being used. Smart power strips also will protect your electronics against power surges. Group devices such as the computer, printer and fax machine on one strip. Finally, remember to unplug charging devices when you’re done charging.
The Energy Adviser is written by members of the energy counselor team of Clark Public Utilities, who provide conservation and energy use information to utility customers. Send questions to energyadviser@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA. 98668. A panel of local energy efficiency and energy product specialists will review your questions. Previous topics are available at http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
