is this true??

Question

is it true that your toaster, radio, etc still use electricity even when not being used, or did oprah just say that just to say that? How do I know it's true? Please provide links/explanations if at all possible Thnax so much!!! :)

she said 40% if you know, how much percent is actually used when in off position? is it really 40!?

Answer 1

All electronics in the off position use electricity. Although it is very little amount. The power systems in the electronics drain power, feel if they are warm. Simple appliances may not use power if they do not feel warm to touch.

Answer 2

Oh my flipping gosh!
I was totally wondering the same thing.
Then one of my super smart friends told me the answer.
She dumbed it down for me so here is what she said:
Yes it is still using energy because toaster are using infrared waves to heat up the food which may not be visible all the time but the waves are still being passed because the electomagnetic spectrum is shooting out the red light which appears red but is really infrared waves therefor it is still using electricity. It's the same with the radio except it sends and recieves radio and micro waves

Answer 3

The below weblink may help you understand. Essentially, if even I understand correctly, the electricity is there but no electrical flow until a switch is changed. So in that respect, I suppose it would be accurate to say that even though the power is off...there is still the potential for electricity to be available before the switch.

The diagrams and explanation will show you better than telling you!

Best wishes.

Answer 4

That's BS. Your toaster, radio etc don't use any energy when they aren't being used.

It IS possible that some devices use a trickle amount of energy when they aren't in use - but the amount of energy is so small that it's laughable. Any device that you can turn on by using a remote control clearly has to be getting enough power to receive an "on" signal from the remote - so it has to have a circuit running constantly checking for an "on" signal coming in - but that amount of energy is extremely small.

Last time I checked, my toaster didn't have a remote control.

Oprah doesn't even know how to pump gas - I highly doubt she understands electricity.

Answer 5

Most devices continue to consume power when they’re switched off, sometimes as much power as when they’re on! A surprisingly large number of electrical products -- from air conditioners to VCRs -- cannot be switched completely off without unplugging the device. These products draw power 24 hours a day, often without the knowledge of the consumer. We call this power consumption "standby power."

http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/energy-myths3.html

Answer 6

So called vampire appliances DO use electricity when not in use. Many devices, such as a television, need to be in ready mode in case a remote control is used-this uses electricity. A stove may, for example, may have a clock-again using electricity.

Answer 7

Yes, my father is in Electrical Maintenance and my brother majored in Electrical Engineering, but they tell me the smaller appliances don't make much of a difference, it's the big ones or ones that put out a lot of energy that cost a lot.

Answer 8

Some newer toasters/radios, etc have built in timers and stuff that does use electricity when plugged in...

Answer 9

for a toaster i doubt it , for television they usually have a stanby stand , in this state they also use energy. You can check for yourself by looking at the electricity meter, disconnect the toaster ( or tv ) and look if the meter runs more slowly when the tosater is connected.

Answer 10

It's true. This article is a few years old, but gets the point across, and cites studies that were done.