Glossary · Energy, bills & ratings
Baseload
Also called: baseload energy · standby power · phantom load · phantom power · always-on load · vampire power
The energy a home uses no matter the season — fridge, lights, electronics, water heating and standby power — apart from heating and cooling.
What it means
Auditors estimate baseload from your lowest-use months, when neither heating nor cooling is running much. Use above that line in winter is roughly heating, and above it in summer is cooling. Devices drawing power while switched 'off' add to it.
Why it matters in an audit
Separating baseload from heating and cooling shows which upgrades matter most; a high baseload points to appliances, water heating or standby use rather than the building envelope.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standby power (DOE) | Electronics drawing power while off can add 5%–10% to a monthly utility bill | energy.gov ↗ |