Phantom Load: How Standby Devices Consume Power Leave a comment

This is a very popular question. Do our household appliances and electronic and electrical equipment consume energy just because they are connected? Well, the answer is yes.
This energy consumption by devices on standby – which we call phantom load – is invisible and silent, but it weighs on our wallets and harms the environment.
These devices, which we think are not in use and do not consume energy, are responsible for around 10% of the value of our electricity bills at the end of the month.

How to reduce consumption?

To reduce consumption, you just need to adopt some habits, habits as simple as: turning off the lights and your TV whenever they are not needed.

8 USEFUL TIPS TO ADOPT IN YOUR DAILY LIFE THAT WILL HELP YOU SAVE ELECTRICITY AND PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Turn off appliances whenever they are not in use.
   Did you know that, even when turned off, devices consume energy, just by being connected?
   We know how annoying it is to have to remove plug after plug from the sockets. Therefore, we suggest that you use multiple plugs with switches, where you can turn on and off multiple devices easily.
2. Do not leave appliances on standby.
   10% of your home’s energy consumption comes from these appliances on standby. Did you know that?
   That tiny red light, for example, in the corner of the television, means that your television is in standby mode and may consume more energy than when in use.
3. Check the energy class label on household appliances.
   Each appliance is evaluated according to its energy efficiency, using letters and colors, with letter A being the most efficient (green) and G the least efficient (red). The representation of these energy labels appears in a pyramid format, making them very easy to read. Pay attention to these labels when purchasing your appliance, knowing that it is often preferable to pay a little more for a more energy-efficient appliance, in order to save money on your monthly electricity bills.
4. Be careful with the refrigerator.
   Avoid having your refrigerator on maximum capacity all the time and defrost it regularly, as ice increases energy consumption. If you haven’t bought a new one yet or are thinking of buying one, pay attention to the energy label.
5. Caution when using your dishwasher.
   You should use your dishwasher on the economy cycle instead of the normal cycle. This will reduce energy consumption by about 25%. Exceptionally, when you need to wash dishes that require more intensive washing, you can use a different program. Another tip is to only use the machine when it is completely full.
6. The oven: control its use.
   First, avoid opening the oven while cooking. This will prevent heat loss (which prolongs usage time). Modern ovens do not require you to preheat for a long time, they heat up quickly, making it unnecessary to turn them on too far in advance. Use the grill function (if you have one) only when absolutely necessary. Finally, avoid installing the oven near refrigerators and/or freezers.
7. Awareness in the use of washing machines and dryers.
   Use the washing machine only when you can ensure that the machine is full. We also recommend using a quick program, unless you have clothes with stubborn or very dirty stains.
   As for the dryer, use it only when necessary, preferring to use a clothesline.
8. Smart sockets.
   Have you heard? Nowadays, we have smart and innovative solutions that range from smart sockets, which turn off when devices have not been in use for a long time, and smart chargers that turn off when devices indicate that they are fully charged.

Now that you know our tips, start saving today and avoid wasting energy!