Giant power sucking sound

Posted by Clark Williams-Derry (Guest Contributor) at 8:42 PM on 24 Mar 2006

Here's one problem that should be relatively easy to fix: appliances that use power even when they're not in use. The Economist has a nice summary of the problem:

Strange though it seems, a typical microwave oven consumes more electricity powering its digital clock than it does heating food. For while heating food requires more than 100 times as much power as running the clock, most microwave ovens stand idle--in "standby" mode--more than 99% of the time.

Apparently, somewhere between 5 and 13 percent of residential power is consumed by appliances that nobody is actually using. Hmph.

Now, the most interesting thing here is that different brands and models of the same kinds of appliance use wildly different amounts of power in standby mode. One compact disc player may draw 1 watt while idling; another might draw 30. Manufacturers have little incentive to improve the situation on their own, since they don't pay the power bills; and while energy wonks are well aware of the problem, few consumers pay much attention.

The solution here -- dare I even say it -- seems to be government intervention. In 2004, California passed a law that imposed limits on standby power consumption. It took effect in January, so that (according to the Economist) "it is now illegal in California to sell a television or DVD player that consumes more than three watts in standby mode." Seems like a pretty reasonable solution to me -- I'll be very interested to see if it works.

(Hat tip to Maarten.)

For story: Giant power sucking sound
4 Comments | Post a Comment

Labels, and already purchased appliances

Labeling that explains the expected future stand-by energy costs might also help, but given the American consumers singular concern for the selling price, it probably won't work.

But what can we do about the current collection of stand-by energy hogs? Most people don't have the tools to identify which of their appliances is using 30 watts at idle and which is using 1 watt. They therefore won't be able to know which ones are worth unplugging when not in use. Perhaps an energy conservation agency could let people borrow a device which measures stand-by energy consumption. Does a simple, user-friendly device like that exist?

by meander at 9:49 AM on 25 Mar 2006

sure

The "kill-a-watt" monitor has been discussed here a few times. It is $30 at amazon.

Using mine I see that my recent vintage consumer electronics do draw about 1 watt on standby. The worst were some powered computer speakers (5 watts) that I unplugged.

I am a bit of a sceptic about that microwave claim, but I've got an oldish Sharp Carousel, so I'll check it out ... if I remember overnight tonight.

by odograph at 1:15 PM on 25 Mar 2006

simple:

Gadgets and governments won't do much.

Labels (as meander said) on products saying how energy efficient, and hence dollar efficient will do lots.

The power lies with the consumer to choose more energy efficient products, but of course they have to be informed of the efficiency before they can make a valid decision.

As for the microwave... don't buy one. Ask yourself; do I really need a microwave? Personally, I'd never go back to using one, the food tastes much better cooked the old fashion way and it ain't all that much quicker either.

Vincenze.

http://vincenze.com

by Vincenze at 12:47 AM on 27 Mar 2006

heat

I don't suppose that I technically "cook" anything in my microwave ... at least not often. I use it to "heat" things, things that are already cooked. For that it is certainly easier and more energy efficient than heating up a conventional oven.

As far as my results, it seems my old Carousel II draws about 2 watts on standby. I racked up 0.05 kWh in 27 hours. If my math is right, that steady drain is equivalent to running the 1000w microwave for about 3 min. on full power. So all I need to do is "heat" for more than 3 min per day, and I'm using more effective power than I'm throwing away to the trickle drain. It's all peanuts anyway.

Not because cost is the issue, but just because it makes it easier for people to think of it in terms of their current electric bill - if you have a microwave somewhat like mine, this trickle drain accounts for 22 cents of your bill each month, $1.45 of your bill each year.

If you want to be energy efficient, start with the biggies - especially your refrigerator.

by odograph at 1:27 PM on 27 Mar 2006

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