iPhones consume more energy than refrigerators

WASHINGTON: A new study suggests that aniPhone uses more energy than a refrigerator.




According to Breakthrough Institute, the new research claims that a fridge uses just 322kWh per year, compared with the 361kWh for an iPhone, if you include its wireless connections, data usage, and battery charges, Newser.com reported.

But that's nothing compared to information and communications technology worldwide, which uses 10% of global electricity--and that's a low estimate.

New trends like wireless broadband could make the figure even higher.

The information sector relies heavily on coal power, and differs from other energy leeches because the cloud is never turned off, making it hard to reduce electricity use and carbon emissions.

The study, sponsored by the coal and mining industry, notes that change is unlikely in the near future.

But the Breakthrough Institute notes we badly need cleaner alternatives.