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METERING PHANTOM LOADS
METERING PHANTOM LOADS ACTIVITY
The purpose of this activity is to explain to participants what phantom loads are and how to reduce
them. Start with the discussion questions at the bottom of this sheet. The activity involves using a
power meter to measure and show the participants the amount of Watts used by an electronic device
while it is on, off and turned off at a power strip.
BACKGROUND

A stereo can use around 50 Watts (similar to a light bulb) even when turned off. That can cost a
person over $48 in a year (1). Multiple electronic devices around the house can really add up.

Phantom loads can add about $200 to your annual energy bill, according to Cornell University (2).

Nationally, phantom loads make up about six per cent of our entire residential electricity
consumption (3).
MATERIALS/HANDOUTS

Power strip

Electronic device (ie Printer, CRT TV, DVD player, or Stereo)

Kill-o-Watt Meter
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Start with these questions and give some of the answers to help facilitate discussion:

Have you heard of a phantom load? A phantom load is any appliance or electronic that uses
energy when it is turned off. Most electronic devices stay in standby mode, even if there is
nothing, like a light, indicating that the device is on. Electronics manufactures build standby
mode into their devices so that the turn on quickly for the users. Phantom loads can add around
$200 your electricity bill in a year.

How much energy do you think this device (ie a stereo plugged into the power meter) uses
while it is off? After giving the group a chance to guess, read the power meter to tell the group
how much power is being used while the device is off. A typical light bulb uses around 50 Watts
so you can use that as a frame of reference.

What can you do to eliminate the phantom load? You can unplug the device or put it on a power
strip and turn it off. Demonstrate that there is no power going to the device when the power
strip is switched off.

What are some devices that you have at home that you can unplug? Anything that is not used
regularly can just be simply unplugged, ie toasters, stereos, printers, coffee makers.

What are some devices that you have at home that would be better on a power strip? Put
devices that you use regularly on a power strip, ie computers, gaming systems, TVs. Turn these
electronics off first and then switch off the power strip when you are done using them.
Foundation Communities – Austin, Texas – Saving Green Program
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METERING PHANTOM LOADS

Which devices might you need to leave on? There are some devices that you should not turn off
such as internet routers, cable boxes, and major appliances. You will need to connect these
devices to the wall separately from the others that you want to switch off on a power strip.
RESOURCES
(1) Austin Energy, Customer Electricity Rates
http://www.austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Rates/residential.htm
(2) Phantom Loads, The Daily Green
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/definitions/Phantom-Load
(3) Phantom Loads, UC Berkley
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~recycle/ssec/download/Phantom%20Load.pdf
(4) “Electricity Savings Opportunities for Home Electronics and Other Plug-In Devices in Minnesota
Homes.” Energy Center of Wisconsin. May 2010.
http://www.ecw.org/ecwresults/257-1.pdf
(5) Efficiency Maine, Kill-A-Watt Energy Detector Instructions
http://www.efficiencymaine.com/docs/killawattinstruct.pdf
***THIS ACTIVITY WAS CREATED AND GENEROUSLY SHARED WITH US BY FOUNDATION
COMMUNITIES (AUSTIN, TEXAS) “SAVING GREEN” PROGRAM, a product of an ENTERPRISE
SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING GRANT ***
http://www.foundcom.org/about-us/green-building/
Foundation Communities – Austin, Texas – Saving Green Program