Standby Power - The Silent Energy Drain

Globe with measuring tape.

Our homes are filled with electronics of all types that make our lives easier and keep us entertained. We have TVs, stereos, DVRs, coffee makers, microwaves, iPod chargers and many more. While it's obvious that we're wasting energy when we leave these items on all the time, it's not so obvious that we're wasting energy when they're off.

Standby power... indicated by that little light never goes off — is the energy used by electronics to keep them in a "ready" state and to keep the clock set. Almost all of our home electronics, chargers and appliances work as energy vampires to drain your electricity and raise your bill. It is estimated that these energy vampires use 5% of all electricity in the United States.*

You can fight this energy drain and save money by unplugging unused electronics, or by putting them on a power strip that can by turned off. Cell phone and other chargers will use energy even when they are not charging, so unplug them for instant savings. If every Californian unplugged unused electronics it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 120,000 cars off the road.

Browse our website for more energy- and money-saving tips for your home.

* Source: http://standby.lbl.gov/faq.html