Recently, I’ve been hearing more and more about phantom power…[that] your TV, computer and other appliances use when they are turned off… If you plug your appliances into a power bar with timer you can time the power to be cut from these appliances at a certain time each day/night. Smart bars are a little more expensive but… they will sense when it’s not in use and then eliminate all power to them.

This is the second time in one week that Phantom Power has come up in my life… ooooh that’s eerie!

A few days ago, I was observing a workshop for Brock University’s teachers-in-training, where the students learned how to teach elementary school kids to do hands-on energy conservation experiments. It was observed that the 20-somethings taking the workshop didn’t seem to know anything about ‘phantom power’ – but hey, neither did I.

Apparently even when my laptop is turned off, it’s still sucking up power unnecessarily. I did not know this. I don’t have any ’smart’ power bars, or ones with a timer, but I’m going to go get them… using my about-to-expire OPA coupon, of course.

Much as I love scary things (here are just 2 examples of what’s in front of my house tonight for Halloween tonight!) I don’t want Phantom Power lurking around my home.

I discovered there a dozen coupons – worth a total of $100 – for a bunch of power-saving devices including:

• Motion sensor switches
• Energy Star indoor light fixtures
• Programmable thermostats for electric heaters (worth the most; $45 off)
• Weatherstripping for door frames
• Pipe wrap
• Light switch timers
• Power bars with integrated timer or auto shut-off

The only problem – I just discovered this bonanza of savings 3 days before the coupons expire! So that means, between hockey games and errands and dog walks this weekend we’ll be dashing to Canadian Tire or RONA to use up as many of these coupons as possible by Sunday (Nov. 1st).