A few weeks ago I had to buy a new coffee maker when the one I had had for about 10 years broke. My new coffee maker has a clock on it. Why on Earth do I need the coffee maker to tell me what time it is? It sits right next to an oven and a microwave that already keep me up on the current time. I suppose I could set a timer and let the coffee maker make coffee for me in the morning but I don't like to plan that far ahead. I'll make the coffee when I'm ready for it.
So this really got me thinking about Phantom Power or idle current. If you don't know, phantom power is the power that our appliances are using while they are turned off. That's right, almost everything you have plugged in is consuming power even when in the off or standby mode. This isn't just things with clocks but also includes your TV, DVD Player, Cell Phone Changers, Ipod Decks, CD Players, computer, printers, blenders, and more.
We tend to think that off means off, but these devices are still sucking energy while not in use. It is hard to tell how much energy this actually adds up to but my power company suggests that 10% of the average household power is phantom power. Does that sound like a lot? Consider that if you could eliminate all the phantom power in your house it would be enough to power your house for more than a month.
So what can you do? Unplug it. Yes, unplug everything that is not in use. In the kitchen make your coffee then unplug the coffee maker, make a smoothie then unplug the blender, recharge your cell phone then unplug the charger. Doing this will help reduce the energy that you consume.
Sure you probably aren't going to crawl back behind your TV each time you turn it off but if you put your TV, DVD, and any other electronic on a power strip you can just hit off on your power strip to turn everything off at the end of the day, then unplug your power strip.
It may take a while to get into the habit of unplugging things, but I challenge you to give it a try. Do it, then keep tabs on your electric bill and see if it seems to make a difference. Once you are in the habit of doing this at your own home, encourage others to do the same...and do as I do and simply unplug things when you are at your friends homes. Do you really need that toaster plugged in all day long while not in use? I think not!
~Andy
It may take a while to get into the habit of unplugging things, but I challenge you to give it a try. Do it, then keep tabs on your electric bill and see if it seems to make a difference. Once you are in the habit of doing this at your own home, encourage others to do the same...and do as I do and simply unplug things when you are at your friends homes. Do you really need that toaster plugged in all day long while not in use? I think not!
~Andy
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We always have our toaster and coffee maker unplugged too! I agree, it seems pointless to have something working all day long when no one is home using it! We also unplug EVERYTHING when we leave on vacations! My husband used to think I was funny for doing this but now I catch him doing the same! Melanie givebacktoday.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI also unplug many of items in my house. My husband does not agree with unpluging. When you unplug your computer do your emails still come in?? What about your washer and dryer, do you unplug them???? I wonder why are electic bill is high, but this month are gas bill was awfull and we just got a new gas water heater and furnace. I keep the temp inside at 61 at bedtime and 64 thru the day. But sho knows why are gas bill almost hit $200.00.
ReplyDeleteOh well, i am glad we have the money to pay are bills even though i try hard to save.
Another benefit to unplugging is decreasing the risk of fire. We have a cousin who's power surged and caught the toaster on fire which destroyed their home. Fortunately no one was home at the time. We never leave our toaster plugged in now. Will have to work on the rest!
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