What Should I Unplug To Save Electricity?

What Should I Unplug To Save Electricity? The average household spends approximately $1900 per year on energy costs. Each of these households also uses about 40 different appliances.

About 5% to 10% of a home’s electrical costs are attributed to various appliances that have been left plugged into the wall. An appliance will still use energy just by being left plugged in, but not turned on.

Most appliances use just a watt or two of energy when left plugged in, but some can use much more. The accumulation of many electronics and appliances left plugged in can make energy costs soar.

What Should I Unplug To Save Electricity? –
Save Electricity By Unplugging

Everyone is interested in limiting energy costs, and electricity can be saved by simply unplugging appliances that are not being used.

Certain electronics such as an electric alarm clock, or appliances such as refrigerators and freezers can not be unplugged for obvious reasons, but many others can be unplugged. The appliances and electronics that should be left unplugged to save electricity are:

• Televisions
• DVD players
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Cable tv boxes
• Modems
• Cordless telephones
• Toasters
• Lamps
• Stereos
• Coffeemakers
• Wi-Fi connections
• Electronic gadgets that take energy from a plug-in transformer

Leaving these items unplugged when not in use will make a big difference in the energy bill and really help to save electricity. Everyone wants to lower their energy bills, so leaving appliances unplugged when not in use just makes sense.

Avoiding the Hassle of Unplugging

We leave items plugged into the wall because it is convenient, but unplugging need not be a hindrance. Electricity can still be conserved, and not be an inconvenience by simply using a power strip.

Electronics can be plugged into a power strip and turned off with just a click of a button. Kitchen appliances can be plugged into a different power strip and turned off when not in use. This will be convenient and save electricity as well.

Unplugging Large Appliances

Large appliances such as washers and dryers could help save electricity by being unplugged. Yet, what is more inconvenient than moving a large appliance to plug it in or unplug it? Again, the use of a power strip will make this an easy thing to accomplish.

The appliance can be turned on by the power strip button, and turned off when the laundry is done. No need to move a large appliance, and yet, electricity will still be conserved.

Energy Saving Electronics

Another way to save electricity is by purchasing electronics with energy-saving features. For example, there are cell phone chargers available that internally ‘unplug’ when a cell phone is not connected.

Also available are power strips that use energy for only a predetermined time, such as four hours. After the time is up, they turn off internally and save electricity. These items do a good job of advertising their energy-saving abilities, making them easy to find in stores.

Other Ways to Save Electricity

Unplugging appliances and Electronics when not in use is just one of many ways to save electricity. Here are a few more ideas:

• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last longer and use less energy than incandescent bulbs.

• Lower the thermostat by just one degree, which can save as much as 10% of the heating bill.

• Install energy-efficient windows, which could save as much as $150 per year in energy costs.

• Take shorter showers, which will cut both water and heating bills.

• Installing a low-flow shower head will also save in heating and water costs.

• Putting a faucet aerator on each faucet will conserve energy and also water while simultaneously keeping water pressure high.

What Should I Unplug To Save Electricity? – Conclusion

With a little ingenuity, many ways to conserve electricity can be discovered. Unplugging appliances, electronics and gadgets when not in use is an excellent way to save electricity, and therefore saving money. Heating a home is not inexpensive.

Neither is cooling a home during hot summers, with the high cost of using air conditioners. Both heating and cooling homes are costing more and more money every year. Most people not only want, but they need to find ways to save electricity and to lower energy bills.

A few simple tweaks, such as unplugging appliances when not in use can save electricity and money as well.