Maximize savings by reducing ‘vampire load’

If you’ve been racking your brains on ways to further cut your electricity costs, and at the same time, help in the energy efficiency crusade without having to spend much resources and time, the answer may be simpler than you can imagine: unplug everything that may be unplugged.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the simple act of leaving your appliances plugged, even while switched off, will still add up to your power bills as these continue to consume the so-called “phantom load” or “vampire power.”

Phantom load refers to the electricity consumed by a device that is switched off but continues to draw power due to its standby power requirement. Many consumer electronic products use energy even when switched off, it explained.

As such, appliances needed to be unplugged to actually save on energy and costs. While this sounds simple enough, the energy department pointed out that “no-cost” energy saving measures such as this, are, in reality, barely practiced as a way of life in the residential sector.

This is the reason why the DOE has since intensified its campaign to boost energy efficiency measures as these are meant not only to effectively manage power supply and demand, but to also produce savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions—amid growing concerns over spiraling fuel prices and fears on possible supply disruptions.

The DOE is now seeking the support of all power consumers, particularly on the household level, to do their share in conserving electricity, by doing this simple act of unplugging appliances and devices.

The DOE pointed out that consumer electronics in particular comprise about 15 percent of a household’s electricity consumption, and this figure will likely further increase as one adds more electronics and gadgets to his or her home.

A typical modern household in the Philippines with a computer, TV, microwave oven with timer, automatic voltage regulator, extension cords with pilot lamp, stereo component and DVD will account for about 30 watts per hour.

If one leaves his/her home with these appliances on standby power for 10 hours per day, these will collectively consume 109.5 kilowatt-hours per year—equivalent to an additional P1,095 to one’s electricity bill annually. And this amount can even increase, depending on the number of appliances in the household, the DOE warned.

The DOE is also encouraging consumers to purchase energy efficient appliances and products with the government’s energy labels. The existing “labeling program” for selected household appliance and lighting products such as room air conditioners, refrigerators (with storage volume of five cubic feet/142 liters to eight cubic feet/227 liters) and compact fluorescent lamps will empower buyers to make informed choices. This program would allow a buyer to know how energy efficient an appliance is, based on the standards set.

The agency, in the past, has discouraged buyers from purchasing “used” or “ukay-ukay” appliances as these have been discarded from the countries of origin and are already energy inefficient.

In the long run, the DOE says it also wanted to create a national awareness that electricity is a valuable commodity that has to be used widely and judiciously.

It now has several programs and projects that would help all power users realize this value and ultimately help the country save millions of dollars annually in energy costs. Such programs included the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP), Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), the Philippine Energy Efficient Lighting Market Transformation Project (PELMATP), and the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP).