I found a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (see the link below) that evaluated the amount of electricity used by devices in idle power mode. About a quarter of all residential energy use (based on a study in California) is for these idle items. According to the study, devices that are “off” or in standby or sleep mode can use up to the equivalent of 50 large power plants’ worth of electricity and cost more than $19 billion in electricity bills every year. This number has significantly increased over the last 10 – 15 years. Electricity generation is a large contributor to the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change. Reducing electricity use reduces carbon dioxide emissions and other air pollution; reduces the amount of fossil used to produce that electricity; and reduces the environmental impact of extracting and transporting the fuel. Solar, wind, and water power have environmental impacts, too, so it’s important to minimize use of power generated by these sources as well.
Ideas for reducing idle power use:
- Unplug it when you’re not actively using or charging it.
- Unplug chargers when not in use.
- Check the owner’s manual to see if it has an energy saver mode.
- For electronics such as the television and associated electronics, put them on a conveniently located power strip that can be turned off when you aren’t using the items.
- If you walk away from a computer or television, think about how long you will be gone and whether you should power it down.
- When it’s time to buy a new item, check energy efficiency and standby power information if available. Don’t buy items with indicator lights, clocks, or automatic timers if you don’t need them.
- Borrow a power check meter from your local library or utility company. It will help you know how much electricity your devices use when they are turned off or in standby mode.
https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/home-idle-load-IP.pdf
Electricity use in idle power mode
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