Elec usage from items left on standby

heresmo · 25-10-2005, 16:44

I heard yesterday that chargers consume electricity if left plugged in, even when not actually charging anything. This was a new one on me.

Having always left chargers plugged in and ready for use (e.g. mobiles, shaver, Ipod, mini-vac etc), I, along with the interviewer, was surpised that they were always drawing electricity.

Sorry, not exactly a revelation.

Mo

walkie · 25-10-2005, 17:02

Tv's etc do aswell

sdenny · 25-10-2005, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by heresmo

I heard yesterday that chargers consume electricity if left plugged in, even when not actually charging anything.

Mine don't!!

(but them I switch them off)

***ncarring*** · 25-10-2005, 17:07

If you feel a charger even when it's not charging anything, it will be slightly warm. That energy has to come from somewhere.

I heard once that if the whole country turned their TV's physically OFF at night, rather than leaving them on standby, it would save the output of a whole power station!

Needless to say I try to turn mine off, but there's always something consuming electricity in a modern home.

bengie · 25-10-2005, 17:09

they do use a little due to the in efficiency of the voltage conversion but it miniscule mo, probably wouldn't even register on a load meter.

tv's so use electric when left on standby indeedbut seeing as your average 'normal' lly uses only 15W when in use the load when on standby is about the same as a charger.

your not going to se anything by switching them al off mo, infact you would probably spend more on elctric by switching thingsff all the time as most devices use more to start up than they do to just sit there due to them having to warm up etc

for example if you are in d out of a room every 5 minutes it will cost more to keep turning it on and off and also shorten the life of the bulb compared to jut leaving the blasted thing on.

Johnnyc · 25-10-2005, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by bengie

they do use a little due to the in efficiency of the voltage conversion but it miniscule mo, probably wouldn't even register on a load meter.

tv's so use electric when left on standby indeedbut seeing as your average 'normal' lly uses only 15W when in use the load when on standby is about the same as a charger.

your not going to se anything by switching them al off mo, infact you would probably spend more on elctric by switching thingsff all the time as most devices use more to start up than they do to just sit there due to them having to warm up etc

for example if you are in d out of a room every 5 minutes it will cost more to keep turning it on and off and also shorten the life of the bulb compared to jut leaving the blasted thing on.

No normal telly I know of uses 15w when turned on. Portable CRT's can use up to 60w and a 28" wide screen CRT's uses about 150w. Even a black and white 12" TV's use about 30w. Any caravanners here would testify to how long a car battery lasts when connected up to one.

Stand-by is there for a reason. Starting a TV from cold is tough on the tube and reduces its life. Stand-by operates a very low wattage heater around the tube to ease startup and extend the lifespan of the tube. My TV uses 3w on standby. Cheaper to pay the additional leccy charges than replace the TV more often.

bengie · 25-10-2005, 19:00

i stand corrected, not sure where i got them figures from but john appears to be more acurate with his wattage's

heresmo · 25-10-2005, 20:25

Nothing is ever straightforward is it?

Dunno if I should be rushing out to buy candles or fixing solar plates to the roof now. (Well, I do actually cos there's a recent thread on that very thing.)

Thanks ever so. "We" rely on what "they" tell us, so it's very much appreciated by me to hear what's behind the "one liners" they give us.

Mo

dstev2000 · 25-10-2005, 21:10

My 32" Tosh is rated at 145W, my sub is 230W and my amp 440W, at full chat obviously

25-10-2005, 16:44	#1
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,554 Members Car: Thanks: 50 Thanked 143 Times in 123 Posts	Elec usage from items left on standby I heard yesterday that chargers consume electricity if left plugged in, even when not actually charging anything. This was a new one on me. Having always left chargers plugged in and ready for use (e.g. mobiles, shaver, Ipod, mini-vac etc), I, along with the interviewer, was surpised that they were always drawing electricity. Sorry, not exactly a revelation. Mo

25-10-2005, 17:02	#2
walkie ............... Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Monday: MK Tuesday: MK Wednesday: MK Thursday: MK Friday: MK/Home Saturday: Home Sunday: In bed ;o) Posts: 6,606 Members Car: BMW 120D M-Sport Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Tv's etc do aswell __________________ Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training. See you soon folks, take care - James

25-10-2005, 17:07	#4
*ncarring* Don't talk, drive! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The B roads of Britain Posts: 12,953 Members Car: 1983 Porsche 928S / 1972 MGB GT Thanks: 16 Thanked 94 Times in 77 Posts	If you feel a charger even when it's not charging anything, it will be slightly warm. That energy has to come from somewhere. I heard once that if the whole country turned their TV's physically OFF at night, rather than leaving them on standby, it would save the output of a whole power station! Needless to say I try to turn mine off, but there's always something consuming electricity in a modern home. __________________ Nick North Wiltshire RoADAR

25-10-2005, 17:09	#5
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 15,251 Members Car: 4x4 turbo estate Thanks: 17 Thanked 144 Times in 125 Posts	they do use a little due to the in efficiency of the voltage conversion but it miniscule mo, probably wouldn't even register on a load meter. tv's so use electric when left on standby indeedbut seeing as your average 'normal' lly uses only 15W when in use the load when on standby is about the same as a charger. your not going to se anything by switching them al off mo, infact you would probably spend more on elctric by switching thingsff all the time as most devices use more to start up than they do to just sit there due to them having to warm up etc for example if you are in d out of a room every 5 minutes it will cost more to keep turning it on and off and also shorten the life of the bulb compared to jut leaving the blasted thing on. __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

25-10-2005, 19:00	#7
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 15,251 Members Car: 4x4 turbo estate Thanks: 17 Thanked 144 Times in 125 Posts	i stand corrected, not sure where i got them figures from but john appears to be more acurate with his wattage's __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

25-10-2005, 20:25	#8
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,554 Members Car: Thanks: 50 Thanked 143 Times in 123 Posts	Nothing is ever straightforward is it? Dunno if I should be rushing out to buy candles or fixing solar plates to the roof now. (Well, I do actually cos there's a recent thread on that very thing.) Thanks ever so. "We" rely on what "they" tell us, so it's very much appreciated by me to hear what's behind the "one liners" they give us. Mo

25-10-2005, 21:10	#9
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 4,036 Members Car: 2 Octavia II's, an L&K combi and a vRS hatch. Thanks: 48 Thanked 168 Times in 153 Posts	My 32" Tosh is rated at 145W, my sub is 230W and my amp 440W, at full chat obviously __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode