2023-10-14 15:00:02
If something is plugged in, but not turned on, does it use electricity? The answer is affirmative and this type of gesture has a name: it is what is called phantom consumption. The good news is that it is easily avoidable, although you will have to get used to taking certain measures and precautions every day with the intention of keeping all possible devices under control and absolutely turned off. Take note of what it is and how to avoid phantom electricity consumption.
What is phantom electricity consumption
He phantom electrical energy consumption o standby phantom consumption It consists of the energy expenditure that occurs by many electrical devices when they are connected to the current, despite not being on or operating at that moment.
He phantom consumption in electronic devices It has repercussions both on your electricity consumption and on your electricity bill and on the environmental impact you generate with your daily activity. In fact, it is estimated that, on average, it can account for between 7 and 11% of your total electrical consumption, according to data managed by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving. (IDAE). It is the equivalent of about 300 kWh of electricity per year.
For this reason, it is important to know the electricity consumption of a plugged-in device in each specific case, since not all devices consume the same amount of electricity in a standby state. This way you can take effective and simple measures to avoid phantom light consumption and save money on your electric bill.
Why does phantom electricity consumption exist?
He phantom consumption It exists because most devices continue to require certain electrical consumption despite being turned off or in sleep mode. The technical explanation is that the transformer of your electrical appliances has two coils, one of which is always active if the appliance is plugged in.
In some cases it is easy to realize that this consumption is occurring: if you see a red off light on your television or game console, think that this light does not stay on by itself and that it precisely indicates that the device is in modo stand by, adding its consumption to that already being produced internally. However, that light may not exist and phantom consumption may also be occurring without you noticing.
Furthermore, every time you leave a computer or similar in a state of rest, you will be generating electrical consumption that allows you to resume the session intact as soon as you deactivate said mode.
Examples of phantom consumption
There are many phantom consumption that go unnoticed or that we simply overlook, despite how easy it is to avoid them. A common example is that of phantom consumption of chargersjust like him pc phantom consumption.
Gestures as easy as unplugging the chargers when we are not using them or turning off the computer after each session (and deactivating the power strip they are plugged into, or disconnecting them from the power) can make a difference in your electricity bill.
Phantom consumption at home
He phantom consumption in electronic devices It does not always have the same weight: certain devices consume more electricity than others in standby mode. To clear up your doubts, here are some of the most common assumptions, extracted from a study prepared by the Organization of Consumers and Users (FATHER):
Device typePhantom consumption kWh per yearMusic box35.04 kWhRobot vacuum cleaner22.78 kWhMicrowave21.9 kWhCoffee machine17.52 kWhOrdenator16.06 kWhConsole14.89 kWhCharger2 kWhTelevision1.61 kWh
In the case of ghost consumption of the refrigerator, it is an appliance that must remain on at all times for its correct operation. We cannot, therefore, turn it off for a few hours, although we can regulate its temperature to avoid excessive and unnecessary electricity consumption.
However, keep in mind that quantify phantom consumption It depends on many factors: the models of devices and appliances installed and used in your home, the number of devices you have at home, whether you have the habit of disconnecting some of them completely (for example, through the use of power strips that you deactivate every night ), the use (more or less intensive) you make of them (and, therefore, the real time they are in standby).
How to avoid phantom electricity consumption
It is very simple reduce phantom consumption: The easiest way to achieve this is to use power strips that group the access to the current of certain groups of devices that can be disconnected en masse at the same time. For example, television, decoder and console. Also desktop computer, printer and router.
In the case of the kitchen, you can opt for an electrical installation that allows you to suddenly turn off the oven, ceramic hob, microwave… keeping the refrigerator independent.
Of course, you can also simply unplug each device from the power supply individually, although this will take a little more time and may be more cumbersome to do every night.
Don’t forget the importance of check phantom consumption or idle consumption of appliances and appliances that you buy in the future: this information must appear on their energy labeling and will allow you to reduce phantom consumption in those cases in which you choose not to disconnect them from the power.
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