How much energy can you really save by unplugging things around the house?
Hunting down devices left on standby is a common energy-saving tip – in fact, it’s one of our 100+ simple ways to save energy at home.
However, do you know how many devices in your home still use electricity even when they’re turned off? Called the ‘Phantom Load’, these electricals draw power from the socket even when turned off. Many common devices enter a standby mode when the power switch is pressed, rather than turning off completely.
Unplugging these devices at the socket is the only way to stop them drawing power – and it will save you money on your energy bills.
What is Phantom Power load?
The phantom power load of a device – also known as standby power or vampire energy – is electricity drawn from the socket even when not in use.
This energy is wasted on keeping the device ready to activate at the press of a button. While it may not seem significant, this wasted energy could be a significant portion of your home’s energy consumption.
Is unplugging things the only way to turn them off?
Some appliances, such as computers, offer a direct choice of putting the device in standby mode or switching off when you power them down. Others, however, are less clear about whether you are actually turning them off or simply switching to a lower-power consumption sleep mode.
For other home electricals like a phone charger, there might be no option to switch off completely.
The safest way to ensure you are not wasting power is by unplugging things from the wall, or at least turning the wall switch off to interrupt the current.
How much can I save by unplugging things at home?
Unplugging things around the house rather than simply powering them down can have a surprising impact on your energy bills. Devices draining phantom power can account for 10% of your home’s energy use.
The Energy Savings Trust estimate a typical household could save £45 a year by making sure electricals are unplugged rather than being left on standby.
How can I find vampire devices in my home?
Finding the electrical devices draining your energy at home can be difficult. It’s called phantom power load because it’s not easy to spot – and because it can lead to a scary bill at the end of the month.
One way to identify devices that are passively using electricity is with a home smart meter. These handy devices measure your energy consumption in real time, showing how much electricity is currently being used at home.
Use your smart meter to measure the lowest level of consumption possible in your home, with only essential appliances like your fridge and freezer plugged in. Then, regularly check your consumption and compare it to this baseline. If your energy use is higher when you’re not actively using any electrical devices, it likely means vampire devices have been left on standby somewhere around the home.
Start unplugging things, and enjoy the satisfaction of watching your bills drop in real time!
