An Analysis of Standby Power Consumption of Single-Member Households in Korea

Abstract

This purpose of this study is to investigate the standby power consumption behaviors of live-alones. The research was performed by a survey that included general demographic characteristics like age, gender, and type of housing, and electrical energy consumption factors to analyze the standby power consumption of single-person households. Analyses were performed to find power consumption characteristics by households including the ratio of standby power consumption to total electrical energy consumption and respective waiting time and standby power consumption for each electrical appliance. In addition, the actual practice of plugging/unplugging, which in one of the consuming behaviors that directly affects standby power consumption, was investigated. Finally, the correlation of the amount of standby power and 8 consumption factors including: house size, time spent at home, number of appliances, plugging ration of electrical appliances, and 4 other factors categorized by the use of appliances. Here is the summary of the analysis results. Firstly, average standby power consumption of single-member households accounted for 6.1% of overall monthly electricity consumption. Secondly, the significant factors affecting standby power of single-person households proved to be ‘number of appliances’, ‘plugging ratio’, and ‘size of the house’. Lastly, we divided respondents of questionnaire into two groups; one was those who consumed standby power more than average and the other was those consuming standby power less than average. Three variables, video, fax and dishwasher impact on standby power consumption in the first group and three variables, computer, monitor and Vacuum influence on standby power consumption in the second group. In terms of correlation test, the Video turned out to be one of the most important variables determining standby consumption in the first group. In the second group, computer and monitor were the most important variables determining standby consumption. This study is believed to have verified that standby power saving contributes significantly to total electrical energy savings of households.