The holiday season is approaching, a time when businesses and households increase their electricity consumption due to festive lights and the continuous use of equipment. Given this scenario, we must be aware of phantom, passive, or vampire energy consumption. This concept, which is more common than one might think and less known than one would like, refers to the permanent connection of electronic devices that draw energy even when they are not in use or are apparently turned off. Although this is often seen in homes, it also represents a problem in industries and business organizations of all kinds.
According to experts, vampire consumption could account for up to 10% of a facility’s total electricity expenditure. This consumption occurs mainly through state-of-the-art digital equipment, as it uses an internal transformer that remains connected to the power grid. This is necessary because many of these systems and tools are operated by remote control or digital buttons. In the past, equipment was analog and had a manual or electromechanical disconnect device, so it did not produce this passive energy consumption.
In the office or company, common devices such as computers, printers, television screens in standby mode, or even laptop chargers continue to drain electricity permanently. For example, a plugged-in computer may consume energy even when it is turned off.
During the holiday season, this energy loss is compounded by increased demand for the “lighting season,” making it crucial for organizations to take preventive measures to avoid short circuits due to electrical overloads. This is always important because projections indicate that energy demand in Central America will increase by 3.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 65,729 gigawatt hours (GWh), and by 2026, growth of 3.76% is forecast, raising demand to 68,201 GWh, according to the Regional Operating Entity (EOR).
This reserve energy not only affects finances, but is also a waste that contributes to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and raises the carbon footprint and greenhouse effect on the planet. So reducing and even avoiding vampire consumption has a direct impact on saving economic resources and contributes to reducing environmental impact and sustainability.
What can be done to manage energy and reduce hidden energy consumption?
Firstly, it is essential to identify and disconnect equipment that is not in continuous use. It is also important to use power strips (multi-socket outlets or surge suppressors with switches), as this makes it possible to cut off the power supply to several devices at once, ensuring that they do not continue to consume electricity when switched off.
In the case of buildings and industrial spaces, automation and energy management allow consumption to be adjusted in real time and waste to be eliminated, achieving savings of up to 50%. At the same time, it is essential to carry out regular electrical inspections and use energy regulators to care for equipment.
It is essential to adopt a conscious disconnection strategy. For example, a cell phone charger consumes energy even when it is not connected to the phone and as long as it remains plugged into the outlet. This is a small but everyday example that applies to home users, businesses, and all types of organizations. Equipment that has a standby mode affects energy consumption, the costs that will have to be paid at the end of the month for electricity, and, more generally and broadly, the emission of gases that are harmful to the environment,” concludes Lady Campos, new business manager at Schneider Electric.
