Phantom Power

Aloha!

We're all button pushers, aren't we? No, I don't mean in the psychological sense. I mean in terms of interacting with the electronic world around us. As soon as we wake up, we're pushing some button. In my case, it's the snooze button on my alarm clock. Some mornings, I'm pushing it again, and again, and again.

As for computers, the most common button we push is the power button. Push it in, and like magic the computer comes to life. (Or, if Mr. Murphy of Murphy's Law is visiting you on the morning when you most need your computer, there is no response - nothing lights up. Darn!)

When we push that magic "on" button for the computer are we suddenly pulling power from the grid into our little beastie? Well, it was already plugged into the grid via the outlet on the wall even before you hit the "on" button. So when you push the "on" button, you're just flicking a switch in the computer, sending power to the components that start the machine and keep it running.

Before you even pushed that "on" button your computer was not only plugged in, but it was drawing some power. Same with your monitor, your printer, and other devices you might use, such as a scanner. Yep, they all draw some power whether you are needing them or not. (Sounds like some people, no?)

Though this unexpected power consumption is known by various names - phantom load, idle current, vampire power - one name I like is phantom energy. The net effect is sucking extra energy from the grid into your home when you don't really need it. And though it may seem trivial, it can add up over time.

Appliances like televisions, computer monitors, and DVD players can also draw power whenever they're plugged into an outlet. I've read that phantom energy can account for about 10 percent of a home's electricity use. It might not sound like much, until you consider reducing that 10 percent will get you over a month of free electricity every year.

Unplugging your devices when they aren't really in use will cut back on phantom power, though it can definitely be a pain to crawl behind the TV, etc. every time you're done watching.

There are a handful of devices designed specifically to combat phantom energy, but plugging bundled devices - like computer, monitor, printer; or TV, DVD player, DVR - into the same power strip and then turning off the power strip will do the trick too. Being mindful of phantom energy is another consideration as we try to green our lifestyles and save money at the same time.

Wishing you akamai computing!