Varasähkön

Varasähkö is a Finnish term that translates to "stolen electricity" or "phantom load" in English. It refers to the electrical energy consumed by electronic devices when they are turned off or in standby mode. While seemingly insignificant, this continuous, low-level power draw can accumulate over time, leading to increased electricity bills and wasted energy. Many modern appliances, such as televisions, computers, chargers, and even some lighting systems, consume a small amount of power even when not actively in use. This is often due to features like remote control receivers, internal clocks, or memory retention. The cumulative effect of numerous devices drawing small amounts of power can be substantial, contributing to a significant portion of household electricity consumption. To reduce varasähkö, consumers can employ strategies such as unplugging devices when not in use, using smart power strips that automatically cut power to idle devices, or choosing energy-efficient appliances with lower standby power consumption.