Hello!
How's Energy Week going for everyone? (Let us know in the comments!)
Today's challenge is:
Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use.
Why?
The average American has about 40 household appliances that are left plugged in, even when they aren't in use.
Even though you turn them off, electronics and appliances that are plugged in still use energy.
According to the US Department of Energy, the average U.S. household spends about $1,900 a year on energy costs. 5% to 10% of your residential electricity is used by appliances that are left plugged in.
Most plugged in appliances don't use a lot of energy, only using a watt or two. But some electronics, especially computers and TVs, consume a lot more energy, even when they're just in standby mode or off. The cumulative effect of having so many devices plugged in around the clock that can really add up.
So what do you actually need to unplug?
Here is a list of the top 12 devices you should unplug:
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Televisions
- DVD players and VCRs
- Modems
- Cable TV boxes
- Cordless phones
- Stereos and radios
- Coffeemakers
- Lamps
- Toasters
- iPods and electronic gadgets sapping energy from a plug-in transformer
(list from http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/06/20/12-household-appliances-you-should-unplug-to-save-money/ )
Our challenge to you is to unplug at least 4 devices!
Help save the environment and save some money!
Here is some more info on this topic:
http://www.energypulse.net/centers/article/article_print.cfm?a_id=1280
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.vampires
~The Coyotes