David B. Floyd, Florida Solar Energy Center
Carrie Webber, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Energy Analysis Program
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
Berkeley, CA 94720
Proceedings of the 1998 ACEEE Summer Study
on Energy Efficiency in Buildings
August 1998

Leaking electricity or "parasitic load" is energy wasted by electronic devices when they are not performing any useful function, typically in an "off" or "standby" state. Before this study, little was known about the magnitude or source of this waste. While whole house losses have been estimated to be approximately 50 watts, little data has been available to quantify energy waste from individual loads. This paper summarizes measurements of over 600 consumer electronic devices taken by researchers at both the Florida Solar Energy Center and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Combined they form the largest data set of consumer electronic loads ever assembled. Measurements were recorded at national electronic stores, a nationwide retailer and in individual's homes. Measured loads include heat pumps, televisions, videocassette recorders, digital video disk players, cable boxes, portable stereos, DSS receivers, telephones, and other miscellaneous residential electronic appliances. Detailed power consumption of each device was measured in the most common modes of operation (on, off and standby) and the features most likely to affect energy consumption were recorded. Loads for each product type and category are summarized in all modes of operation and methods to reduce parasitic loads are proposed.

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Energy Star energy conservation energy savings energy efficiency environment climate change weatherization solar energy appliances energy audit energy tools efficient buildings energy education heating cooling heat pumps furnaces boilers air conditioners insulation ducts skylights windows thermostats fuel switching mechanical ventilation water heater water heating refrigerator freezer dishwasher clotheswasher clothes dryer miscellaneous energy home energy comfort remodeling residential energy.