Have you ever stopped to think about how much energy the various devices in your home use? Unfortunately, it’s likely much more than you think. The fact is, you likely have several devices that are using constant energy. While leaving things plugged in can make your life more convenient, it’s wise to get to know where and how energy is being wasted in your home.
It’s estimated that approximately 50 devices in your home will continually consume energy, even when they are turned off. The devices range from your coffee machine to your cable box, your refrigerator, the furnace in the summer and more.
How Does this Affect Your Home?
Do you know what it means when there’s so many devices on in your home, but turned off? According to statistics, the energy costs resulting from inactive devices can exceed $165 per U.S. household each year. Since 2015, this number has been increasing steadily as more and more devices turn into “smart” devices.
If you use a laptop or smartphone, there’s a good chance you have at least one device that is always drawing power. Unfortunately, not too many people stop with jut a single device. You likely have TVs connected to the internet or some type of streaming device, as well as game consoles and routers that are constantly using home.
How to Reduce Energy Usage in Your Home
The good news is, there are several things you can do to reduce the amount of power your appliances are using while idle. In fact, there are five actionable steps you can take now, and in the future, to reduce the amount of energy you use:
- Unplug devices that aren’t used often: This may be entertainment systems in the guest room or your furnace during the summer.
- Use power strips: You can use power strips to turn off several devices at one time.
- Use a timer: You can set a timer to turn off electrical devices wen they aren’t typically being used. Some things to consider hooking up to a timer include an instant coffee machine, towel heater and hot water recirculation pump.
- Adjust your power settings: In most cases, you can use this tip for televisions that feature a “quick start” setting and turn your game console off it it’s set to “instant on” mode.
- Buy Energy Start appliances: If it’s time to replace appliances or electronic equipment in your home, try to purchase Energy Star rated items as replacements.
When it comes to saving electricity, there are more than a few things you can do. If you aren’t sure what’s using energy while turned off, then it may be time to schedule an energy audit. The professionals can help you find the “energy vampires” in your home and make smarter choices when it comes to conserving energy. In the long run, you will be doing something good for the environment, all while reducing your electrical costs – it’s a win-win situation.