In the growing green market, distributors may consider plug load controls
to help customers meet their energy management needs.
Plug loads account for 15 to 19% of residential energy use[1] and about 20%
of commercial energy use in the U.S.[2] Plug loads grew by 12 to 14% in 2007
and it is safe to expect similar growth in the coming years.[3] Most plugged-in
devices use energy even when they are turned off. This type of energy use
is often referred to as phantom load or vampire energy. Electronics draw power
through two types of standby modes: passive and active. The clock on a microwave
is an example of passive standby. An example of active standby is a DVD display
when it is programmed to record something. Even cell phone chargers still
draw power when they aren’t actively charging a cell phone battery. 22% of
plug load electricity is used in standby mode.
There are several devices that can help reduce plug loads. GreenSwitch™
is an innovative device that can wirelessly control wall plugs and light switches,
allowing users to control plug loads with one switch. Wattstopper/Legrand
offers Isolé
Plug Load Controls; surge protected power strips with occupancy sensors.
When no one is present, peripheral office equipment is powered down to reduce
energy consumption.
Controlling plug load growth is an important energy management strategy.
Electrical distributors should consider offering plug load controls to all
customers as a means of accessing the growing energy management market. For
more information on plug load controls, please refer to NAED’s Going Green
– Inside and Out white paper, How to Profit from Green Market Opportunities
available at the NAED Learning Center.
[1]
https://touchstoneenergy.cooperative.com/public/programs/EnergyEfficiency/documents/EnergyUseofHouseholdElectronics.pdfaccessed August 10, 2009.
[2] Sabo, Carol. “Plug-Load Energy-Efficiency on Campus”, a presentation
given at the Advanced Design and Technologies for Higher Education Facilities
Workshop in Lansing, MI September 23, 2005. PA Government Services, Inc.
[3] http://www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/articles/does-it-pay-to-pursue-plug-load-reductions.php
accessed August 10, 2009.