Introduction
If you’re reading this, you’re probably just as concerned about our warming planet as we are (and for good reason). Even in 2026, fossil fuels continue to power much of our daily lives, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. While we tend to associate fossil fuels with things like gas for our cars or heating our homes, a large portion of the electricity we use every day is still generated by natural gas. In fact, most electricity in the U.S. comes from fossil-fuel power plants, meaning that the energy powering our lights, devices, and appliances is directly tied to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
That means the small, routine actions we barely think about (flipping on a light switch, charging our phones, or leaving electronics running) can quietly add up. The scale of the issue is hard to ignore, too: the U.S. continues to subsidize fossil fuels by about $34.8 billion each year, reinforcing just how deeply embedded they are in our energy systems. While a full transition to renewable energy is long overdue, there’s still meaningful change that can happen at the individual level. By paying closer attention to how we use electricity, we can reduce demand for fossil fuel–based power and make more sustainable choices in our everyday routines!
You’ve likely heard the basics like turning off lights when leaving a room, being mindful of heating and cooling, and avoiding leaving the TV on overnight, but there’s more happening behind the scenes. There’s also a less visible source of energy waste quietly working against us. It’s known as phantom energy, and it can increase your electricity use without you even realizing it. The good news? Once you know what to look for, it’s surprisingly easy to manage.
Phantom Energy: What is it?
Phantom energy is the energy that’s wasted when devices are plugged in, but not in use. Many are not aware that, even when turned off, devices that are connected to an outlet still use energy from the grid. In fact, phantom energy can add up to 10% of a home’s energy costs! That could cost the average US household around $100 per year.
Evidently, phantom energy has financial effects on the individual consumer of energy, but what effects does it have on the environment?
Annually, phantom energy accounts for more than 100 billion kilowatt-hours of US electricity consumption. According to a study by Earthday, that means that phantom energy produces nearly 80 million tons of carbon dioxide every year. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
On the industrial scale, 21% percent of all electricity consumed by buildings is wasted according to Wired magazine. That mainly comes from the water coolers, copiers, vending machines, and other industry-specific equipment that are left running 24/7. Think of all the large buildings and laboratories at U of M. There is no way all the tech crammed in there is being used constantly, or even regularly. Cutting phantom energy consumption in half in the U.S. alone would be the equivalent of turning off the carbon emissions of an entire medium-sized country.
What can I do?
The most obvious solution is to unplug! When you leave your residence hall, apartment, or house for the day, make sure you don’t have unnecessary things plugged in. That means unplugging your coffee machine, toaster, computer monitor, game console, lamp, or anything else that sneakily uses energy. One of the most convenient solutions is just to use a power strip, so you can unplug everything with a flip of a switch. Additionally, outlet timers are pretty handy; for example, set it so that your Keurig is only on for the time you’ll need your coffee in the morning, say 6:30am-7am. That way, you don’t even have to remember to unplug before you leave for the day!
Huge culprits of phantom energy are common spaces, like at workplaces. The problem is that no one thinks they are responsible for limiting energy consumption in these areas. However, think of all the appliances there that are left plugged in and running 24/7!
If you’re interested in which appliance in your living area uses up the most energy when inactive, you can borrow a Kill-a-Watt meter from some U-M libraries, like in Hatcher North, Askwith Media Library, or the Art, Architecture, and Engineering library! The Ann Arbor District Library even offers some, too! It’s important to be in the know about your individual energy consumption.
If you have a smart TV, turn off the smart wake feature in settings that makes it interact with phones or other devices even when inactive. Doing this could save up to 40 watts of energy everyday!
On a broader scale, environmentalists should ensure large organizations like U-M monitor their energy use and optimize their energy efficiency. U-M has taken strong action in many areas, by publishing energy use data, building LEED certified buildings, and creating the Revolving Energy Fund to finance sustainability projects. But, there are still many areas for improvement. How many computers and lab appliances are consuming unnecessary energy overnight? Where could 24/7 lights be replaced with motion-sensing lights? So check out your apartment/dorm/workplace building’s energy consumption!
But, becoming aware of this problem is only the first step, students need to take individual action! A good way to take action would be to ask your schools, departments, and labs what they are doing to reduce their phantom energy usage. If you have ideas on ways to save within your residence halls, share them with Student Life Sustainability!
Call to Action
Please fill out this Phantom Energy Survey to measure, collect, and look at the amount of energy that is being used for phantom power!
Share in the comments what you are going to do to reduce phantom energy consumption!
Ruby and Eli are students in the ENVIRON 109 course.