Phantom Loads - Not as Scary as they Sound

Did you know that when you turn off most modern electronics, they're not actually off? That's right. That off button now is more likely a "standby" button. This puts the device into a power saving mode, but doesn't turn it off. The loads these leave on your

To see how much energy your electronics are using when they're off, the P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor is a great place to start. If you don't want to take the Kill-A-Watt Meter from place to place, the P3 International P4320 Kill-A-Watt Power Strip can monitor the usage of many devices, and is ideal for a computer room or entertainment center.

Speaking of entertainment centers, one of the tips I have for today is putting your TV and the rest of your entertainment center on a power bar. It can be a cheap one, as long as it has an off switch. After you've turned the TV off with the remote, turn the power bar off. Sure your VCR will blink 12:00 all the time, but you'll be surprised how quickly these loads can add up and take money off of your power bill.

Turning off lights in rooms you're not in is another great way to save power. Many people are under the misconception that it takes more power to turn on a light than it does to leave it on while you leave for 5 minutes. If you get in the habit of turning the lights off when you leave a room, you'll be able to save money on your power bill. And we all know how important saving money is in today's economy. If you have a desktop computer, turning the monitor off when you leave the room is another way to save power.

Even your computer can draw power when it is "off", things like the clock and other devices may stay on and continue drawing power long after the computer is turned off.

Stay tuned for more energy-saving tips. In the mean time, check out Home Energy Focus for more green energy eBooks.