I assume that if i have a 1000 watt transformer, it is always using a thousand watts, just by being plugged in. So if I run a 1000 watt Japanese microwave on a 1000 watt transfornmer, then even when the microwave is not in use I am using a thousand watts right? The same as having a1000 watt heater going all the time. Of couse I can turn off the transformer, but that is a hassle.How, and if it is impossible-why?, can i convert a TV designed to run on 100v in japan to 240 V in New Zealand? or a fridge etc?
The waste of energy comes primarily from inefficient standby features and excessive power consumption by the transformer when it has no load1. For example, a telephone charger left plugged in the wall will draw electricity even when the equipment is fully charged and is not in use. Such electricity waste is described as leaking electricity. Try to rent a transformer now if you want to save some dollars.
Don't believe that is correct
Your transformer is NOT consuming 1000 W when you don't use the microwave. It may consume 1 Watt or so when the microwave is off. So, don't worry too much. Electricity is consumed only when there is a load.
TV guy is right about the transformers power, they do leak some but its the load on them that uses the power then only when needed. All transformers do use some power without any load but not much. The second part of your question raises other issues. Converting the voltage is usually not an issue, converting to different line frequencies 50hz vs 60 hz etc is an issue. Converting a TV from PAL to NTSC would be an issue for use as well. A fridge, depending on the compressor design, might work but then we are back to the line frequency question and if the compressor would work at a different line frequency as well. Unplugging the small AC to DC tansformers used on cell phones, computers, etc will save some power useage, a line monitor would show how much. Its not a lot of useage but when added by millions of users and millions of adapters its a big number!
There will be some losses in the transformer. These are typically called eddy current losses and they're pretty small. When there isn't any load on the transformer it is not using 1,000 watts. In fact, it doesn't use any watts in itself except for the eddy current losses. It passes the electricity through to the device you have connected to it. If the TV is off all the transformer will pass through is the small demand of the remote control circuit. You can get transformers to run 100 VAC Japanese products in New Zealand but the problems you're currently facing is why this isn't done very often. It can get pretty inconvenient. There's a source of voltage converters at the link below. You should be able to find what you need. Get a transformer type of converter if you do this. Not all of the other types do a good job.
