viper load
n.— «Turning equipment off at the end of the day or when not in use. Most equipment and appliances keep a constant energy load so that they don’t have to warm up when they are turned on. This is often called a “phantom” or “viper” load and can add up to hundreds of dollars a year for a small office or store.» —“Small businesses can save energy with simple steps” Noblesville County Times (Indiana) Mar. 7, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Patrick in Muncie, Indiana, is fond of jojo potatoes, those delicious deep-fried, seasoned wedges also known as Jo-Jos, and wonders how they got that name. Fortunately, researcher Barry Popik has the scoop. This is part of a complete episode.
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