Think Sleep Mode Saves Energy? Think Again

Computers, televisions and other modern electronics often have a standby or sleep function that keeps them in a dormant state that responds quickly to your whims when you need them. Sometimes, these electronics never really turn off, but just rest in that state whenever you hit the power button.

In other words, they are wasting electricity all the time, and "even at vastly reduced power levels, millions of machines running all day, every day adds up to huge amounts of wasted energy," as the Los Angeles Times puts it.

Just count the tiny LED — that's light emitting diode — bulbs around your home that glow even when appliances are off. Those bulbs are themselves highly efficient, but they indicate that power is running to that appliance constantly. By 2010, according to the Department of Energy, 20% of each American's electricity bill will come from appliances on standby.

What can you do about it. Find out by reading The Daily Green tip, Kill the Phantom Load.

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