Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is raising awareness about the impact of standby power, often referred to as “phantom load” or “energy vampires,” on household energy bills. The company is advising customers to identify appliances and devices that consume electricity even when not in active use.
According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), idle loads can make up as much as 10% of a typical home’s electric bill and contribute approximately 1% to global carbon emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that always-on devices may cost an average household up to $100 annually, depending on usage patterns and location.
David Poster, PG&E Director of Building Electrification and Efficiency, stated: “Energy vampires feed on everyday habits, but eliminating them doesn’t require a big investment. Small shifts in how you manage your energy use can lower your monthly bills and support a more sustainable future.”
Research from LBNL suggests that taking proactive steps can reduce standby power consumption by about 20%. PG&E also recommends assembling an Energy Efficiency DIY Toolkit with efficient materials, which could help customers save hundreds of dollars each year.
PG&E points customers toward additional resources for reducing energy use and costs, including HomeIntel’s video coaching program for identifying power drains and further tips available at pge.com.
PG&E serves over sixteen million people across Northern and Central California as a combined natural gas and electric utility. More information about the company is available at https://www.pge.com/ and https://www.pge.com/news.
