Electronic Device: Even if everything in the house is closed, lights are off and no machine is working, still electricity is flowing slowly. This is called phantom energy or vampire energy. This energy is wasted unnecessarily when we leave appliances like chargers, TVs, microwaves or gaming consoles plugged in.

What is Phantom Energy?

According to Alexis Abramson, dean of Columbia Climate School, this wasteful consumption can account for 5 to 10 percent of a home’s total electricity consumption. It also depends on how old your equipment is and how much technological improvement has been made in it. For example, Internet-connected smart TVs with features like Smart Wake can consume about 40 watts of power even when they’re off. This is about 40 times more than a normal TV.

Impact on environment and climate

Phantom energy not only drains your pockets but also promotes climate change. This additional consumption from each household increases the demand for electricity, which leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions. Aidan Charron, Associate Director of Global Earth Day, says that although this consumption may seem minor on your electricity bill, when the households of the entire country are added, its impact on the environment becomes huge.

What can you do?

Remove the phone charger after the battery is full. Unplug machines like microwaves that draw power just to show the clock when not in use. Turn off extra settings on smart TVs or other devices so they don’t draw power, even in standby mode. By doing this you can keep your device safe. Also the devices will last longer.

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