Phantom PowerDon't be afraid to save energy Home / Energy Experts / Phantom PowerDon't be afraid to save energy Add Comment Are energy phantoms haunting your electric bill? Our Energy Expert explains how to pull the plug on those pesky power drains. See more storiesHow To Stay Cool in SummerExpert Advice on Saving EnergyHow to Stay Warm in WinterSmart DevicesPhantom PowerDehumidifiersSmart HomeBeat the HeatHolistic HomeSmart ThermostatsPower DownFurnaceThe Facts About WindowsWinterize Your HomeSpace HeatersLED Lighting SHARE:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) More Energy Experts Stories How To Stay Cool in SummerAnd save energy too! Expert Advice on Saving EnergySave money too! How to Stay Warm in WinterAsk the experts Smart DevicesGet hands-free help Phantom PowerDon't be afraid to save energy DehumidifiersStay comfortable in summer Smart HomeThe future is now Beat the HeatStay cool and save. Holistic HomeIt's all connected Smart ThermostatsYour house just got smarter Power DownSaving energy is child's play FurnaceAdvice from the experts The Facts About WindowsNo pane, no gain? Winterize Your HomeAdvice for beating the cold Space HeatersHow much can you save? LED LightingA bright idea?
Smart. I leave nothing plugged in that doesnt need to be. My tv is plugged into a power strip and is off all the time except when I am watching it. Great tips for saving energy.
Excellent video! The general public needs to become aware just how easy this substantial waster of energy can be addressed. Thank you!
While the words “phantom power” may conjure up scary images of ghosts and ghouls, there’s nothing menacing about saving energy and saving money on your next electric bill. Great video!
Have some of my electronics hooked into a smart strip. Need to invest in another one or two. Thanks for the reminder.
Great ideas. Easy to lose track of all the waste.
Thanks for the tips on energy phantoms! I was almost scared! 🙂
I am aware of the power drain issue, but I’m not sure what more we could turn off that isn’t essential. We leave no computers on in sleep mode. The only thing that might use power would be our fiber optic telephone/TV/internet system. I don’t want to turn that off as our telephone comes through it. If I had one of the energy use monitors I would test the system.
The Phantom Power video clip was both enlightening and informational. I had no idea that 6% of an average residential electric customer’s monthly electric bill is due to devices using phantom power! I think MGE customers, and MGE employees appreciate this this type of information. Thanks for sharing the video!
Good ideas, but could have more specifics, like a list of potential items to check.
Great video, makes saving energy a fun experience
Great video, short and to the point, and good reminder to check out a monitor and check for phantom useage!
Does it make sense to place “phantom power” devices on a timer? This way, they could not draw power when they’re not needed, but be available automatically when they are. Timers also draw power, which is why I ask whether it would make sense to use one for this purpose.
It sounds great to be able to turn off all the items that continually use energy, while away or not being used, however it seems that many devices would lose their settings and have to be reset when they were plugged in or turned on again.
Thanks for the great info on phantom power and the option to pick up a free loaner meter at the public library.
Good idea but power strip used with my tv cuts off power intermittently to other devices like tv ears and DVD player that seem like the proper users of that technology. Happens when switch screens as from show to commercial and DVD player turns off when select it as input source. Technology still needs some work.
I’ve always wondered if power strips actually stop the phantom energy. It seems like that’s a quick and easy solution.
I liked knowing about a power strip that could turn off devices when they are not used. Also, knowing that up to 6% in phantom power could be saved is worth finding out more details and now I know I can check out the “Watts Up’ at my library. Very informative video.
That smart power strip that automatically turns off the power when a device isn’t being used is really cool! I will have to put one of those on my Christmas list!
Unplug, unplug, unplug.
Good ideas that we’ll try to incorporate into our daily routine. Thanks MGE.
6% is a surprisingly high number
Thanks for sharing this is good info.
Great idea to borrow an energy monitor from the library!
Good information. I’ve checked out the Watts Up Pro in the past, but since some of my electronics have changed recently, I plan to do that again.
Thanks for an excellent reminder on how to actually save energy.
We will try to borrow one of the monitors again to recheck what we have done .
I have some smart strips, but need more! How do I attack other phantom loads – like my garage door opener? Or is there a whole home unit that could help eliminate many phantom loads? Which do you recommend?
Good review.
This video on phantom power was an eye opener.
Thanks for letting us know. Nation wide it really adds up!
The points on how to reduce such are very helpful.
Easy to do!
Appreciate it.
Thank you. Good advice. I have heard this before and it is a good reminder.
I am ready to turn off hidden energy usage. I love the idea of a power strip that automatically turns off power, we are always forgetting to unplug. I am going to buy a couple of Smart Strips right away. Thanks for the great video and reminder!
I’d like more tips on which devices are the better candidates to unplug. When is it OK to “lose it’s mind”.
I tell my family to unplug everything they are not using! Kim
Thanks for the informational video. I try to avoid any phantom power usage by my electronics and appliances.
I am afraid to use it in my sons room!! But I am looking forward to “busting” him.