Phantom load wasting your energy?
LA CROSSE, WI — Leaving your electronics plugged in could be adding to your monthly energy bill. It’s called a phantom or vampire load.
Electronics like appliances are always pulling energy, even when they’re not in use. And that means you’re paying for that electricity.
La Crosse County’s sustainability coordinator says the average home wastes as much as 20% of its energy by keeping stuff plugged in. That can be cut by simple things like turning off lights and turning off power strips when they’re not in use.
“We put a program on our computers to automatically shut them down when people weren’t using them, we’re saving on average $40,000 a year just by shutting off our computers,” said La Crosse Co. Sustainability Coordinator Nick Nichols.
For more ideas, you can contact Nick at the county by calling (608) 785-9768.
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