Killing vampires.The article by Paul W. McRandle ["Green Guidance," Nov/Dec 2006] had a major omission: he didn't talk at all about "phantom" power--appliances and electronics that consume electricity even when they're "off." Maybe you could follow up on that piece with some statistics and tips on how to avoid phantom power. The only solution I have found (outside of electronic abstinence) is putting all of my TV devices on a power strip and shutting off the power completely. But that creates a nightmare of reprogramming Reprogramming refers to erasure and remodeling of epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, during mammalian development[1]. After fertilization some cells of the newly formed embryo migrate to the germinal ridge and will eventually become the germ cells for many devices. Got any better ideas? MATT POWER Liberty News TV Portland, Maine Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Maine, with a 2004 population of 63,882. Portland is Maine's cultural, social and economic capital. Tourists are drawn to Portland's historic Old Port district along Portland Harbor, which is at the mouth of the Fore River and part , U.S.A. Paul McRandle responds: Although most appliance energy use--90 percent in the case of TVs--occurs in the active mode, phantom power is certainly a problem and can cost homeowners up to $200 a year, especially if they have bad habits such as leaving cell phone chargers plugged in. You can keep track of energy vampires and check how much energy your appliances eat up using a device called a Kill-a-Watt. As for saving the energy, power strips offer a quick shutoff shut·off n. 1. A device that shuts something off. 2. A stoppage; a cessation. but risk loss of data in programmable devices. It may be simplest to leave a select few items plugged into the wall and make up for those costs by taking energy saving steps elsewhere, such as drying clothes on a rack (up to $100 savings annually), turning down your thermostat thermostat, automatic device that regulates temperature in an enclosed area by controlling heating or refrigerating systems. It is commonly connected to one of these systems, turning it on or off in order to maintain a predetermined temperature. to 68 degrees F (almost $50 savings annually), and replacing incandescent in·can·des·cent adj. 1. Emitting visible light as a result of being heated. 2. Shining brilliantly; very bright. See Synonyms at bright. 3. bulbs with compact fluorescents (cutting your lighting costs in half). Talk to us! Please include your home town, country, and phone number (not for publication). Letters may be edited for clarity or brevity. Send them to: tprugh@worldwatch.org --or-- Editor, World Watch 1776 Massachusetts Avenue Massachusetts Avenue may refer to:
Washington, D.C. 20036, U.S.A. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion