It is also safer than leaving them plugged in: an un-plugged toaster, for example, can not start a fire. But having to unplug so many devices can be a cumbersome exercise.
This inevitably brings us to an im-portant question:. The answer might surprise you. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says the average American home has around 40 devices that constantly use electricity.
While the individual power consumption of any of these devices is very small, combined these inactive but plugged in devices can account for up to 10 percent of household energy consumption. Simply get yourself a hand-held electricity monitor. Plug this monitor into a power outlet and then plug the device you want to test into it while switched off.
Small kitchen appliances Obviously there are some kitchen appliances that would be unwise, and almost impossible, to unplug: think your dishwasher, oven, and refrigerator.
Entertainment system One of the worst offenders of wasting power is your entertainment system. Plug it up! Power strips One gadget you can definitely leave plugged in — and should probably have more of — is smart power strips. Share facebook Created with Sketch. Email Created with Sketch. Search homes and neighborhoods, anytime and anywhere.
The most important change: a redesign of the humble power supply. The electricity that comes out of a wall outlet is an alternating current and needs to be converted to direct current to operate your devices.
The power supply — the little brick on your phone charger, for example — converts that energy, and tremendous advances have been made in the past two decades that make that process more efficient on increasingly miniaturized circuitry. And because so many devices have become computer-controlled, everything from your washer to your toaster oven to your water heater is benefiting from those efficiency gains, sometimes reducing standby power by as much as 90 percent.
So what's the latest advice for the unpluggers in your life? When it comes to vigilantly unplugging smaller devices, like phone chargers, Meier suggests that there are more productive ways to spend your time.
Here are a number of suggestions for lowering your home's energy bills that don't require running around plugging and unplugging everything you own:. If you have a question about how your stuff works, or just want to know what to buy, email him at request reviewed.
Facebook Twitter Email. But they all come in-built with concealed plugs that consume near-to-zero watts of electricity. Things to unplug in the kitchen are small appliances like the blender, high-tech toaster, food processor, coffee maker, microwave, etc. In short, anything that has a digital display should be unplugged.
You should disconnect your desktop computer, monitor, laptop, printer, scanner, modem, or anything connected to these elements after use. Turn them off every night and when they are not in active use. It means making a habit of unplugging appliances to save energy and not leaving them in standby mode. You will also be protecting them from significant damage against power surges and short-circuiting. Even if you unplug or switch off all the above as recommended, your bills may still be on the higher side if you stick to your current electricity plan.
Switch to a different provider or energy plan that offers lower rates. Compare electricity prices on Shop Texas Electricity if you live in Texas since most Texans have a choice to select their electricity provider. Get started today. Your article has useful insights which everyone has to follow to save electricity bills wisely!
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