Impact of energy-draining ‘vampire devices’ overstated, says tech expert

[AE-NMidlands]

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/ ... re-devices says

Unplugging equipment normally left on standby may not save consumers as much cash as hoped
As the cost-of-living crisis bites, and households look for any opportunity to cut the bills, headlines suggesting consumers can save hundreds of pounds just by turning off unused chargers have been an appealing prospect. But, experts say, such claims about “vampire devices” are actually more like a zombie statistic.

“Things have dramatically improved since those studies were first carried out,” said Craig Melson, an associate director for climate, environment and sustainability at techUK. “Processors are low-power, screens have switched from LCD to LED technology, fridges and washing machines have become more efficient. Technology is just more miniaturised, more efficient, using better processors – and, crucially, they are more adaptable as well.”
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One recent report from British Gas claimed “Brits could … save an average of £110 per household per year by simply flicking a switch”. The energy provider said 23% of British energy bills were caused by “vampire electronics, those that continue to drain power when left on standby”.

But that statistic came from a 2015 report from the US National Research Defence Council, based on analysis of homes in California. “Think about the laptop you used 10 years ago,” Melson says: “That might need a big ugly plug in the middle, a big transformer. By and large, now you can just plug them straight into USB-C: that is much more energy efficient, and there is no need to draw power.”

As well as being seven years old and based on another country’s energy, consumers may struggle to make some of the suggested savings: a third of the “always on” electronics identified in the study are “recirculation pumps, fishponds, aquariums, and protected outlets in bathrooms, kitchens and garages.” Consumers who switch off their aquarium at night can save money but their fish may object.

Other devices included in the 23% figure are left on because they are intended to run all the time: wifi routers and electric space heaters or air conditioning units increase the electricity used by a home but provide benefits while doing so.

More importantly, Melson notes, American consumers are not covered by the array of European regulations that have slashed power use for British consumers. He said: “The eco-design directive, European regulation, has driven design changes across the sector. It’s much more regulated, and business practices have evolved.”

The US report that first found the 23% figure even highlights the advantages of European regulation: “The European standard addresses a large portion of the idle load issue highlighted in this study,” the American researchers say.

Other claims of “vampire devices” reach even further back. In October, the UK’s Energy Saving Trust claimed a modest £35 saving from turning off devices on standby each year, citing a 2013 report that itself accounted for the energy use of devices including a VCR, largely discontinued in 2004, and a PlayStation 2, first produced in 2000.

For consumers who want to save electricity, Melson says, a better focus is to examine the “eco mode” settings on devices such as TVs and games consoles, turning off features such as auto-updates to reduce the standby use further.

British Gas did not reply to requests for comment.

[Ken]

All i can say is that my house uses c200w 24/7. I guess it 1/2 depends what you are measuring. But remember people on this forum are generally green savy and are not a reflection of wider society many of whom will still be using older equipment. As an eg how many people switch off their telly at the wall-very few is my guess and if they cannot manage that you wonder what else they dont get.

I think "vampire loads" gives the wrong impression when really it is "what could people switch off when not being used " I believe this is a real issue as just one thing left on by everybody can equate to the output of one power station.

[Gareth J]

Feels like a distraction to me. As the grid decarbonses, the background loads in people's houses contribute to less fossil fuel intensive heating during the heating season. That leaves the summer when there would be a valuable energy reduction turning stuff off. But that's when it's easiest to produce the cheapest solar (nighttime aside!). While every little helps and adds up and, yes, I do turn the telly off at the wall, there's a risk that people think that, like not using single use plastic bags or doing their recycling that; they're doing their bit so all is well. Not giving a moment's thought to the combi boiler that fires every time they wash their hands or how it compares to a tank of diesel or a flight.

It's very hard to get a handle on the relative carbon intensity of stuff, fuel pumps, electricity etc all help disconnect us. Maybe home heating, home micro generators and transport should all be returned to coal, having to physically shovel your carbon around would focus the mind on what's most energy intensive how to not waste it! (I'm not serious)

[Bugtownboy]

Must admit, heating & some cooking with wood really connects you with the resource and the effort that goes into getting it ready to burn and then moving it and thinking about the burning process. As ‘things’ become easier and convenient, it is very easy to take them for granted.

As a society, don’t know how you could change attitudes, although if we’re to meet carbon targets, there needs to be major changes to individuals behaviour.

Not sure ‘we’ are ready for that.

[Ken]

Why is it whenever they show one of these "heat or eat" citizen advise photos they always shows a woman in a t shirt. If its warm enough for a t shirt then they dont need heating. I am sympathetic to the cause if heavily challenged when i see that.

[nowty]

I agree Gareth J, well at least here at Nowty Towers.

Out of the solar season any vampire loads we do have help to heat the house and its all run from the time shifted Off Peak import so generally lower carbon periods. During the Solar season when I don't need the heat we are always on time shifted home solar with practically zero grid import, so the vampire loads are mostly irrelevant.

[Stinsy]

Why is it whenever they show one of these "heat or eat" citizen advise photos they always shows a woman in a t shirt. If its warm enough for a t shirt then they dont need heating. I am sympathetic to the cause if heavily challenged when i see that.

The “heat or eat” pieces also always feature a family that could benefit from skipping a meal or two!