How unplugging these devices can save you $100 a year
The summer heat waves may be largely gone for now, but it won’t be uncommon to see some hot spells here and there as the fall weather sets in. If you’re still seeing higher electric bills due to increased air conditioning, there are some simple hacks you can try to save some money.
Setting your ceiling fan correctly can make a big difference when it comes to cooling, but there’s an easier way to reduce electricity use all year round: by turning off appliances like your TV, computer, printer, coffee maker, or even your electric toothbrush. to connect.
Even if you are not actively using these types of devices, they use your electricity. The energy used by these devices while they are not actively used is often called standby power, but also has other names such as phantom load, shadow load, idle power, or even vampire power. This constant use of power drives up your monthly electricity bill.
There is a simple solution: unplug the devices when you are not using them. According to the US Department of Energy, unplugging these devices can save the average household up to $100 per year.
Below we will answer how much money unplugging household appliances can actually save you and whether the energy savings are worth it if you unplug and replug appliances every day. (To maximize your energy savings, we also have tips on how to lower your water bill, the best temperature to set your thermostat to save money, and the energy-efficient way to do laundry to reduce energy costs.)
Can disconnecting devices actually save me money?
It may seem counterintuitive to unplug your devices. After all, they’re gone, so why would they drain energy?
The fact is that household appliances still consume energy even when they are turned off but still plugged in Energy.gov. Whether the device is turned off or in standby mode, some of the worst offenders include:
- A device that may still use energy in the form of lights or other displays showing that the device is turned off
- Desktop computers that have been put into sleep mode instead of being turned off
- Chargers that still consume power even when the device is not plugged in
- Media players that constantly consume power, especially players that still check for updates in the background
- Phones with displays that show when they are not actively being used, such as cordless phones
- New smart home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers with always-on displays, internet connection and electronic controls
Check this out: Easy ways to reduce your energy bills and save money
Reduce your standby power to save electricity and money
Many people are shocked when they realize how much standby power can add up. Standby energy is responsible for 5% to 10% of energy consumption in homes the US Department of Energy.
How much you save may depend on the number of devices you use and your habits with them. For example, there is an educational experiment Colorado State University found that a combo radio/CD player/cassette player consumes 4 watts continuously, whether in use or not. By unplugging it when not in use, you will save 100 times more energy over the life of the appliance.
A study published by the Defense Natural Resources Council (PDF) found that reducing the burden on always-on appliances would save consumers a total of $8 billion per year and avoid consuming 64 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year. It also has environmental benefits, such as preventing 44 million tons of CO2 pollution. The NRDC estimated the average cost of always-on appliances to be $165 per household per year.
Buying a smart plug can help you save energy by controlling the power on virtually any device you plug in. This plug from Leviton is CNET’s top pick.
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How can I optimize my standby power?
The first step is of course to disconnect everything that is not actively or not used often. Examples of devices that can be easily disconnected include TVs and set-top boxes in guest rooms. It is also generally easy to unplug media players when not in use, such as a radio or CD player. Whenever you take your device off the charger, get into the habit of unplugging that charger as well. You might also be surprised at how many devices we have plugged in that we don’t even use anymore. Examples include old cordless phones, old media players, or lamps that are more decorative than functional.
Disconnecting and reconnecting everything can become tedious, especially if the outlets are in hard-to-reach places. If the electrical outlet is not accessible, it will be difficult to keep track of it.
Instead, you can also think of ways to make the process of cutting off phantom loads more automatic. You can connect devices to surge protectors. This way, one press of the power button can turn off multiple devices. You can also get timers to plug in devices or smart plugs so you can automate when power is connected to a device. For example, you can set the time when the TV turns on so that it is only connected during peak times, such as evenings or weekends.
You can also look at getting it Energy Star products. Many of these products have lower standby power consumption than products that are not Energy Star rated.
Find additional resources to save electricity
As energy bills become higher and more erratic over time, it is more important than ever to find ways to save on electricity costs. In addition to disconnecting the devices in the house, you can, for example, consult our manual about this turn off lights when not in use. Another important way to influence your electricity/heating bill for the better is to know what the costs are ideal temperature that you need to set up for your home. You can also consult our guide at quick tips to save on your gas and electricity bills, such as turning down your boiler or replacing your air filters.
