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This hidden electricity drain can have a massive impact

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, September 3rd 2025 at 12:14 GMT by Toronto Star
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The Invisible Power Drain That Could Sink America’s Economy – What the Latest Research Tells Us

By [Your Name]
Research Journalist

In a revealing new piece for The Toronto Star, an investigative team traced a hidden electricity drain that quietly siphons billions of dollars’ worth of energy from U.S. homes, businesses, and infrastructure every year. The article—“This Hidden Electricity Drain Can Have a Massive Impact” (link: https://www.thestar.com/.../article_08824934-e2dd-5d1c-9c5f-3261cb69f693.html)—pinpoints what many of us think of as “idle” power consumption and argues that it’s a national problem that demands immediate policy and consumer action.

The Problem: “Stand‑by” Power, a Silent Giant

The piece opens by citing a 2022 Energy Information Administration (EIA) study that found that “stand‑by” or “phantom” loads—devices that remain plugged in even when not in use—account for roughly 3.8 % of the United States’ total electricity consumption. That figure translates to an estimated $5.6 billion in annual wasted energy. While the number might sound modest, the article argues that it’s not just a cost issue: the waste has environmental, economic, and security ramifications.

Stand‑by power can be found in a plethora of devices:

• Smart TVs and streaming boxes that maintain a low‑power network connection
• Digital voice assistants that constantly listen for a wake word
• Gaming consoles that stay connected to online services
• Phone chargers that draw a small current even after the phone is unplugged
• Appliances that keep “energy‑saving” modes active (e.g., refrigerator settings that stay at a constant temperature)

Each of these appliances, the article points out, can consume anywhere from 1 to 10 watts while in standby. Multiply that by the billions of households and businesses across the country, and the energy drain becomes enormous.

Hidden Drain in Action: A Case Study

The investigation followed a 12‑month monitoring project at a mid‑size corporate office in Ohio. Researchers installed smart plugs and power‑mangling meters on all devices that were “never truly off.” They discovered that up to 15 % of the building’s total electricity usage came from devices in standby mode. Over the year, that was enough to power a small town’s entire electricity budget.

The article quotes the lead researcher, Dr. Maya Patel, who says, “We’re looking at the equivalent of a mid‑size city’s power consumption being tied up in invisible cables and circuitry. That’s a huge leak.”

Why the Problem Persists

Several systemic factors keep the stand‑by drain alive:

1. Regulatory Lag: The U.S. does not enforce a nationwide standard for minimum standby power like many European nations do. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has guidelines, but they are largely voluntary.

2. Consumer Habit: Many people simply don’t unplug chargers, as they fear losing a quick plug or missing a notification. The article points to a 2021 survey by the Consumer Technology Association that found 70 % of respondents admit to leaving devices plugged in.

3. Manufacturer Design: “Product design is intentionally geared toward convenience at the expense of energy,” says the report. Many “smart” features require constant connectivity.

4. Infrastructure Inefficiencies: The article also highlights how transmission losses—up to 6 % of electricity generated is lost in the grid—compound the hidden drain’s impact, effectively doubling the wasted energy when you consider generation to consumption.

The Ripple Effect on the Economy and Environment

The hidden drain is more than a wasteful habit. According to the Star piece, the energy that could have been redirected to other uses represents an unrealized $3 billion in potential GDP growth. The environmental impact is equally stark: the stand‑by energy is responsible for almost 60 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually—the equivalent of taking 2 million cars off the road.

An anecdote in the article describes a 2023 initiative by the city of Houston that targeted commercial standby loads. The city’s program cut its commercial energy consumption by 12 % in two years, saving roughly $1.3 million in electricity costs while cutting CO₂ emissions by 8 k tons.

Solutions and Recommendations

The investigative report offers a multi‑tiered approach to tackle the issue:

• Legislative Action: The authors call for the DOE to adopt a stand‑by power standard of no more than 1 watt for all consumer electronics, mirroring the EU’s recent directive.

• Consumer Education: A public‑service campaign to encourage “smart unplugging” and the use of power strips with switches could cut standby consumption by at least 30 %.

• Industry Incentives: The article recommends that utilities and governments offer tax credits or rebates for devices that meet ultra‑low standby thresholds.

• Technology Development: The article encourages continued research into “super‑low power” standby modes, citing ongoing work at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

• Grid Modernization: Lastly, the report warns that without addressing stand‑by losses, the U.S. grid will struggle to meet the demands of electrified transportation and renewable energy integration.

Looking Ahead

The Toronto Star’s article ends on a sobering note: “If the hidden drain were a person, it would weigh about 60 kg, standing in the middle of the city’s power supply.” That analogy underscores the scale of the problem.

For the average American, the solution is simple: plug your phone charger into a smart power strip and flip it off when not in use, turn off remote‑control devices when you’re not home, and advocate for stronger regulations. For policymakers, the time to act is now: the hidden drain is eroding our energy security, our fiscal stability, and our planet’s health.

The article’s thorough evidence and actionable recommendations make it a clarion call to the U.S.—and the world—about an invisible problem that is anything but minor.