Optimizing Energy Efficiency: Should You Keep Your AC Switch On When Not in Use?

"Sneaky Energy Vampires are lurking around in your home."

In our modern world, where convenience is paramount, we often rely on remotes and standby modes to power down our devices. But have you ever wondered if these energy-saving measures are truly effective? Enter the mysterious "phantom load" – a sneaky culprit quietly sipping electricity when we're not looking. In this article, we'll delve into the concept of phantom load and explore whether you should go the extra mile and physically flip the switch to disconnect your devices truly.

Even if you turn the device (such as TV or AC) off but do not flip the switch off, they can consume small amounts of power. This wasted power is called standby power or vampire power/draw, phantom load, ghost load, or leaking electricity. Devices that have rechargeable batteries and are always plugged in use standby power even if the battery is fully charged. Don't get me wrong, this is not always bad, as some devices require this standby power for better functioning. Deivces going into standby can help them switch on quickly without delays. Security systems and alarms require standby power to always be on. Burglars aren't going to switch on your security alarm if you flip the switch off.

Drawbacks

The major drawback of the phantom load is the unnecessary energy consumption it entails. This can lead to higher utility bills and a larger carbon footprint. It can also cause wear and tear on devices, reducing their lifespan. Devices on standby also pose fire risks. Addressing phantom loads is crucial for energy efficiency and sustainability.

Phantom load varies drastically depending on the device. Usually, they are in the range of 0.5 - 2W. But imagine you have 10 such devices consuming 1W of power on average, running 24 hours a day for an entire year. This would add up to 10*1*24*365 = 87.6 kWh or 87.6 units. One unit in India costs around ₹6. Therefore, this would lead to 87.6*6 = ₹523 per year.

I can go another step and link this to CO₂ generated. A coal plant produces around 1.025 kg of CO₂ per unit of electricity generated. Assuming transmission and distribution losses which are about 30% in India, this 87.6 kWh translates to 87.6/(1-0.3) = 125.14 kWh. And in India, 75% of energy comes from coal plants. Thus, taking a factor of 0.8 to account for coal plants and other fossil fuels, this leads to 0.8*125.14*1.025 = 102.62 kg of CO₂ per year per household! The IEA (International Energy Agency) estimated in 2007 that standby produced 1% of the world's carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Remedies

At an international level, IEA put forward an initiative called One Watt Initiative in 1999, which sought to reduce the standby power of appliances to below 1 watt by 2010, and 0.5 W in 2013. Some countries have adopted this, but many developing countries are yet to do this.

Agencies and institutions are taking initiatives at international and national levels. But in the meantime, we can do our part. We can switch to more efficient devices at the time of purchase. Moreover, we can simply disconnect or flip the switch off when we are not using the devices. Let's strive for energy efficiency, lower carbon footprints, and a more sustainable future by unmasking and tackling the phantom load lurking in our homes.