Advanced Power Strips for Plug Load Control

More than 25% of total energy consumed in US office buildings is used to power plug-in devices, many of which continue to draw power even when turned off. A recent GPG technology assessment found that advanced power strips (APS) that employ pre-programmed timers to de-energize such devices significantly reduce power usage: 26% at workstations and 50% in printer rooms and kitchens. View full-size infographic. [PDF - 227 KB]

GPG Findings 003, September 2012, Advanced Power Strips for Plug Load Control. Opportunity: How much energy is lost to plug loads in U.S. commercial buildings? 25% of electricity is lost to phantom power. In efficient buildings this can increase to 50%. Technology: How do Advanced Power Strips save energy? De-energize circuits based on a timer, load-sensing, or both. Measurement and Verification: Where did M and V occur? National Renewable Energy Laboratory tested the effectiveness of 3 plug load reduction strategies in buildings throughout GSA’s Mid-Atlantic Region. Results: How did Advanced Power Strips perform in M and V? Simple timer controls most cost-effective.26% energy savings at workstations with advanced computer management in place. 48% in kitchens and printer rooms. Less than 8 years payback in all applications. Less than 1 year in kitchens and printer rooms. Deployment: Where does M and V recommend deploying Advanced Power Strips? Deploy broadly. Energy savings and low payback support deployment throughout GSA’s portfolio. [PDF - 227 KB]


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Last Reviewed: 2022-05-06