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Lopomos are:
- A type of bedroom slipper
- Tasty Filipino appetizers
- A type of pasta
- South American cowboys
- None of the above.
If you answered "e," you're on the
right track. You may not know exactly
what lopomos are, but you encounter them
in your home around the clock. In fact,
you're paying for them right now.
"Lopomos" is an acronym for
"low-power modes." Equipment in
low-power mode draws electricity
when plugged in, even
when switched to the "off"
position. Lopomo energy is
used to maintain digital
clocks on microwave ovens
and VCRs, save television
channels in memory, and
keep cell phones and
rechargeable tools powered
up for when you need
them.
This type of energy
draw, also called "standby
power" or "sleep mode," is
responsible for as much as 20
percent of the total power used by some
household appliances. Lopomos account
for an estimated 10 percent of the electricity
used in California homes, at an average of
50 watts per household. Across the nation,
standby power losses add up to hundreds of
kilowatt-hours, costing consumers billions
of dollars annually.
Home entertainment equipment -
televisions, VCRs, DVD players, and audio
units, - comprise over half the lopomo use.
Some experts believe this power use will
only grow since many of today's homes
have several televisions and associated
stereo and
video devices.
But don't
worry. No
one is asking you to
give up the excellent,
great value
viewing on Alameda
Power & Telecom cable television.
There is a simple, painless way
to cut lopomo energy use
and lower electricity bills.
The next time you purchase
a television, VCR,
DVD player, or stereo,
look for the ENERGY
STAR® label. ENERGY STAR® qualified televisions
use about 25 percent less energy
overall and can save up to 75 percent of
lopomo losses. Other ENERGY STAR®
approved items draw 1 watt of electricity or
even less while in low-power mode.
To find ENERGY STAR® qualified
home entertainment equipment, go to
www.energystar.gov, click on "products"
then "home electronics." The website
provides information about specific products
with low energy use. ENERGY STAR®
products meet rigorous energy-efficiency
requirements set by the Environmental
Protection Agency and U.S. Department of
Energy. Alameda Power & Telecom is
proud to be an ENERGY STAR® partner.
To save other lopomo losses, check
your home for wall packs that power and
recharge answering machines, cordless
phones, cell phones, and appliances such
as handheld vacuum cleaners, electric
toothbrushes, and cordless screwdrivers.
Feel the heat coming from one wall pack,
multiply it by the number of rechargeable
appliances plugged in around your house,
and you can understand how much energy
is drawn day in and day out to keep these
appliances ready for action. Consider
unplugging rechargeable items
that you don't use regularly
and unplugging cell phone
chargers when not in use.
For more information
on lopomos and reducing
household energy use,
call 748-3900.
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