SAVE ON ELECTRICITY
September 1st 2009 13:05
Interested in saving a few dollars per month off your electric bill?
It's easier than one might think and the savings from year to year
are significant.
Most everyone know the obvious kilowatt saving techniques:
turn off lights when leaving a room, replace incandescent light
bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs, shut off appliances
when not in use, buy energy efficient products whenever possible
and many other strategies.
One simple energy saving technique most people aren't
aware of, or simply can't be bothered with is to eliminate
what are known as "phantom loads" around the house.
Phantom loads are those insidious energy sucking small
appliances that draw power even when shut off. As long
as they are plugged in, anything solid-state--televisions,
home audio gear--computers--and items with rechargeable
batteries or "power cube" AC adapters--cordless telephones,
some answering machines and other small electronic items
will make your electric meter spin.
The easiest way to stop this wasteful power drain is to
install power strips with an on/off switch throughout your
home and plug the "phantom load" appliances into the
strip.
For instance, your television sets can be a chore to unplug
from the wall when not in use. However, if they are plugged
into a power strip, all you need to do is flip the on and off switch
when in use or not in use. With the power strip switched off,
the television or other "phantom Load" appliances plugged
into it can't draw power.
Last but not least, consider microwave ovens. What is it's
primary purpose to cook or tell time? Do really need your
microwave power to suck electricity when your are not
using it for cooking?
Take a look around your home at every electronic device,
no matter how small that is plugged into a wall outlet. Decide
if each individual appliance really needs to be plugged in all
the time.
It's easier than one might think and the savings from year to year
are significant.
Most everyone know the obvious kilowatt saving techniques:
turn off lights when leaving a room, replace incandescent light
bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs, shut off appliances
when not in use, buy energy efficient products whenever possible
and many other strategies.
One simple energy saving technique most people aren't
aware of, or simply can't be bothered with is to eliminate
what are known as "phantom loads" around the house.
Phantom loads are those insidious energy sucking small
appliances that draw power even when shut off. As long
as they are plugged in, anything solid-state--televisions,
home audio gear--computers--and items with rechargeable
batteries or "power cube" AC adapters--cordless telephones,
some answering machines and other small electronic items
will make your electric meter spin.
The easiest way to stop this wasteful power drain is to
install power strips with an on/off switch throughout your
home and plug the "phantom load" appliances into the
strip.
For instance, your television sets can be a chore to unplug
from the wall when not in use. However, if they are plugged
into a power strip, all you need to do is flip the on and off switch
when in use or not in use. With the power strip switched off,
the television or other "phantom Load" appliances plugged
into it can't draw power.
Last but not least, consider microwave ovens. What is it's
primary purpose to cook or tell time? Do really need your
microwave power to suck electricity when your are not
Take a look around your home at every electronic device,
no matter how small that is plugged into a wall outlet. Decide
if each individual appliance really needs to be plugged in all
the time.
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