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Your cooperative is currently experiencing normal energy demand. No special energy saving measures are necessary.
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Phantom Power: Should You Be Scared?

scaredYou can see them late at night, those little lights glowing on game consoles, cable boxes and other electronic devices all around your dark house. They're called phantom loads and they continue draw power day and night, even when no one is around.

Although that sounds frightening, you can really feel the presence of these diabolical devices when you get your energy bills. Energy waste from phantom power can cost you up to $100 a year or more, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Scary.

Getting rid of the energy ghosts

You can protect your home and your energy budget with these power-saving measures:

  • Plug electronic devices into advanced power strips or smart plugs, which automatically cut power to devices that are not in use.

  • Enable power management "sleep" settings on home office equipment, such as computers and printers.

  • Unplug unused chargers as well as any rarely used electronic devices in your home.

  • Purchase ENERGY STAR®-certified electronic devices. ENERGY STAR products are independently tested to use less energy than standard devices and they draw less phantom power.

Now you can relax knowing that you've rid your home and bills of energy waste from phantom loads.

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06029 County Road 33A
Saint Marys, OH 45885
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday - Thursday
Phone: 419-394-4110
Fax: 419-394-8333

Proud to be a 5-Star Co-op

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2023 ACSI Badge     2024 ACSI Badge     https://www.theacsi.org/badges

Midwest Electric Cooperative earns this award based on data modeled by the ACSI® in 2023 and 2024. Award criteria are determined by the ACSI based on customers rating their satisfaction with Midwest in a survey independent of the syndicated ACSI Energy Utility Study. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org/badges. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.

©2025 Midwest Electric, Inc. A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

  • My Home
    • SmartHub
    • Ways to Pay
    • Bill Payment Assistance
    • Rates & Billing
    • Meter Installations
    • Outage Notifications
  • My Business
    • SmartHub
    • Rates & Billing
    • Economic Development
    • Peak Load Management
    • Rebates
  • My Co-op
    • Who We Are
    • New Electric Service
    • Electric Service Areas
    • Electric Rates & Fees
    • Retail Energy Choice Explained
    • Patronage Cash Back
      • Joint Memberships for Married Couples
    • Annual Meeting & Co-op Board
    • PAC Political Action Event
    • Political Action
    • National Family Month Giveaways
    • Careers
    • Monthly Publications
  • My Community
    • Community Connection Fund
    • Scholarships
    • Need a Speaker?
    • Kids Corner
    • Schools and Teachers
  • My Energy
    • Rebates
    • Energy Calculators
    • Home Energy Advisor
    • Energy Audits & Tips
    • Renewable Energy
    • Peak Alerts and Load Management
    • Load Management Switches
    • Cool Returns
    • Builders and Contractors
    • Power Surge Protection
  • Safety
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Safety Tips
    • Safety Demos
    • Electric Meters
    • Generators & Switches
    • If Your Power Goes Out
    • Life Support Equipment
    • Trees and Power Lines
    • Weather Ready: Winter Storms
  • FAQs
    • Member FAQs
    • Submit a Question
    • Request Information
    • Giveaway Official Rules
  • Contact Us