Residential and commercial electrical services when you need them and at the right price.
Phantom Power
February 24, 2020
Phantom power is when appliances and electronics continue to draw power even when they are turned off, but still plugged into a power outlet. According to BC Hydro, this adds up to about 10% of an average BC household’s annual electricity. This does not include appliances that need constant power such as the fridge, freezer, furnace or AC. In most households, this can add up to hundreds of dollars of wasted electricity over the course of a year.
The biggest consumers of phantom power
Devices with remote controls – TV, PVR, Blu-ray/DVD player & garage door opener
External power supply for a router, printer or cable modem
Chargers for a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, GPS & handheld gaming device
Anything with a continuous display – alarm clock, oven, microwave, toaster oven, coffeemaker with a digital clock, cordless phones connected to base, digital thermostats
Electronic components such as computers in sleep mode, not fully turned off, electrical toothbrush on charger
*Many PVR/DVRs use almost as much power when turned off or in standby mode as when they are used with the TV on.
How to Reduce Phantom Power
Although there may be benefits to keeping some electronic components on sleep or standby mode, there are ways to reduce phantom power:
unplug appliances & electronics that are not used very often
chargers and charging stations should be unplugged as soon as the battery is fully charged
use a power bar with an on/off switch or a timer
when purchasing appliances & electronics, look for the Energy Star label
use sleep mode on your computer instead of using a screen saver which uses twice as much energy.
BC Hydro reports that the average Canadian home has 25 or more devices that use standby power.
To power home electronics in average home: 1970’s – 290 kilowatt hours per year.
1990’s – 485 kwh per year.
2013 – 960 kwh per year.
2020 – Estimated 1500 kwh per year, based on this trend.
Over time homeowners accumulate more sophisticated electronic devices and consumption of phantom power increases.
Homeowners need to weigh the difference between what is practical and realistic versus what is wasteful and costing them unnecessary expense.
Often, we receive calls from clients who require outdoor electrical work that is too high for even our tallest ladders. To accommodate these projects our Blue Crest Team uses a scissor lift to get to high, out of reach positions. Scissor lifts are often essential for commercial projects or residential upgrades where a hydro pole... READ MORE
Having an exhaust fan in your bathroom is important to the humidity control and air quality of your home. Not only does it remove the bad odors, but it also eliminates the moisture in the air that can damage the walls and cause mold to grow. Having an experienced and licensed electrician replace or install... READ MORE