Halloween may be the spookiest time of year, but some ghosts are hiding in your home all year long. These aren’t your typical ghouls… they’re energy phantoms: appliances and electronics that continue to draw power when they’re plugged in but not actively being used. Common culprits include:
- Phone, tablet and laptop chargers.
- Coffee makers with digital clocks.
- TVs and cable boxes in standby mode.
- Gaming consoles left on or “sleeping.”
- Computers and printers quietly sipping electricity.
Individually, each device may use just a trickle of power, but together, this phantom power adds up. Fortunately, there are practical ways to chase them away.
Take Control and Vanquish Phantom Energy
- Unplug when not in use.
Unplug chargers and small appliances when they’re idle. If doing this every day feels like a chore, focus on areas with clusters of electronics, like the living room or home office, to start. - Use smart power strips.
Smart or “advanced” power strips act like guardians, cutting off electricity to devices automatically when they’re not in use. Turn off your TV, and the strip can shut down your gaming console and sound system at the same time — no haunting energy wasted. - Shut down computers fully.
Many devices continue sipping energy in “sleep” mode. Shut down laptops or desktops overnight to save money and prevent phantom drain. - Choose energy-efficient appliances.
When it’s time to replace a kitchen appliance or electronics, energy-efficient models are designed to minimize phantom energy use and keep your home more efficient overall. - Use timers.
Plug items like lamps and holiday lights into simple outlet timers. This ensures they’re only on when needed, keeping unnecessary energy consumption from creeping in like a midnight ghost.
Small Changes, Real Savings
Phantom energy may be invisible, but its effects aren’t. Even trimming a few dollars a month adds up to meaningful savings on your energy bill over the course of a year.
By unplugging what you don’t need, leaning on smart technology and making intentional choices about appliances, you can banish these energy phantoms once and for all. And the best part? You don’t have to give up comfort or convenience. These small, practical steps can help your home run more efficiently, proving that sometimes, the spookiest things aren’t ghosts; they’re just a little wasted energy waiting to be reclaimed.
