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SPEAR. Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility. Energy Conservation. Standby Power Consumption. Also known as Phantom load Vampire power Leaking electricity
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SPEAR Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility
Standby Power Consumption • Also known as • Phantom load • Vampire power • Leaking electricity • In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Wikimedia Commons
Examples of “Phantom Load” • Transformers • Power bricks • Cell phone charger • Computer equipment • Appliances with LED clocks • Remote-controlled devices • Devices with standby indicators • Stereos, radios, satellite receivers, and power strips
Refrigerator • Make sure door is closed tightly • Take the dollar bill test: close your refrigerator door on a dollar bill and then try to pull it out. If the dollar comes out easily you may need new seals or a new refrigerator. • Plan what you need inside the refrigerator before you open the door • Refrigerator temperature: 36–40ºF • Let food cool before storing in refrigerator
Lighting • Use common sense • Natural lighting • Localized light (example: desk lamp) • Turn off lights when not in use • Compact fluorescent light bulbs • Avoid over-illumination • Waste energy • Health effects • Stress and fatigue • Hypertension • Migraines • Circadian rhythm disruption
Computers • Turn off computer and monitor when not in use • Turn off computer at night • Activate power management on laptops and desktops • Screen savers do NOT reduce energy use
Laundry • Use cooler water • ~90% of energy used to wash clothes is used to heat water • Switching from hot to warm water can cut energy use in half • Cold-water detergents† • Wash and dry full loads; adjust settings for small loads • Dry towels and heavier cottons separately from lighter-weight clothes † Effectiveness not scientifically proven.
Miscellaneous • Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving wastes gasoline... and $$$. • When using small amounts of water, use cold water. Hot water may never reach the faucet.
SustainVU http://www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/
Sources • http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/home_office.html • http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com/article.cfm/green_tips_for_college_students • http://www.nespower.com/phantom_load.aspx • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over-illumination • http://www.book-of-thoth.com/thebook/index.php/Over-illumination • http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/refrigerators.html • http://www.nespower.com/thermostat.aspx • http://www.vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/energy_efficiency.php • http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/198/how-green-is-your-college.html • http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=clotheswash.clothes_washers_performance_tips