Customer Newsletter, June 2008

Energy Smart Tip: Reduce "Phantom" Energy Loss

Did you know that even after you push the "Off" button, many of today's electric-powered appliances and electronic components, like televisions and computers, continue to use power? The amount of energy a typical household may lose to these phantom loads can range from 4 to 12 percent, according to recent electrical industry studies.

Individual rates of loss will vary depending upon the number and efficiency of the home's electric and electronic appliances and equipment, and on individual usage patterns. But, for an average household, the cost is approximately $70 per year paying for electricity to run household components that are supposedly turned off.

One of the strengths of public power is that we are not in the electric business to make profits for stockholders or absentee owners. That means, among other advantages for you, we don't want you to spend money needlessly. With that in mind, June's Energy Smart tip offers you ways to reduce phantom energy loss in your homes.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, here are some things you can do to reduce phantom loads and become more energy efficient.
  • In the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This loss of energy can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip to cut all power to the appliance.
  • Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.
  • Look for energy saving ENERGY STAR® home electronics and appliances when shopping for these items.
  • According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an ENERGY STAR® computer uses 70 percent less electric energy than computers without this designation. If left inactive, ENERGY STAR® computers enter a low-power mode. Spending a large portion of time in low-power mode not only saves energy, but helps equipment run cooler and last longer.
  • A common misconception is that equipment lasts longer if it is never turned off. This is not true. If you are not using your electric-powered equipment, turning it completely off is always the better energy- saving strategy.
We want you to get the most value for your money, each and every time you turn on a switch. It costs far less to save a kilowatt-hour than it does to build a new power plant to generate one.

Visit our Energy Wise Page for an archive of tips!

Other stories you'll find inside this edition:
  • Southern Awards Seven Linemen Scholarships
    • Southern Power District's Board of Directors awarded seven scholarships in May to assist recipients with financing their lineman program education.More>>>
  • Energy Camp is Back for 2008!
    • Southern Power District will be conducting a session of its popular BRIGHT IDEAS ENERGY DAY CAMP this summer. More>>>
  • Workload Update
    • Southern Power District's crews have completed two major sections of power lines in our Holdrege service area, each had entailed the rebuilding of a seven-mile stretch of subtransmission line. More>>>
  • Hotline Safety Training
    • Fourteen linemen from across Southern's service area participated in Hotline Safety Training in May. More>>>
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