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In layman’s terms, a phantom load is used by appliances that are turned off but are still plugged into an outlet. In this article, read and find out how unplugging these appliances can help you save $40 a month!
![Kitchen Appliances on Countertop [Photo: Forbes]](https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/southarkansassun.com/2023/01/960x0-7.jpg)
Kitchen Appliances on Countertop [Photo: Forbes]
According to Fuller, a study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2015 revealed that the energy consumed by “idle” appliances costs an average of $165 every year. The U.S. Department of Energy also stated that the phantom load amounts to 10% of the energy used in an average household.
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Kitchen Appliances
An article in Trulia says that any countertop appliance in the kitchen can consume $5 every year. Thus, a microwave, coffee maker, toaster, and air fryer altogether costs an additional $20 in energy bills every year.
Chargers
Chargers left in outlets for easy access slowly but surely increases the energy bill. By unplugging a few of them not in use, more than $20 can be saved every year. It may be a hassle to plug and unplug chargers every now and then so it is suggested to use a smart power strip. This device cuts off the power once it detects an appliance is idle.
Entertainment System
A television adds around only $10 to energy bills every year. However, the devices that are plugged into it are also consuming electricity. A digital video recorder can consume up to $30 worth of electricity every year. A cable box can also consume $10 every year, as well as audio or speaker systems connected to the TV. Altogether, $20 to $70 can be saved by unplugging the entertainment system.
Computers
Like televisions, computers also come with a lot of devices. Even when a computer is turned off, it does not mean that the router, speakers, and printer are turned off as well. Several experts suggest turning off a computer when inactive for more than 20 minutes. By turning off a computer and other devices connected to it, around $25 can be saved every year.
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