How can it be that in this age of energy efficient appliances and power saving devices that you use could be outright wasting energy and not even be aware? Could there really be a silent and mysterious culprit that is wasting energy and draining money from your pocket?
The following is a list of clues that you are wasting energy and is the result of lessons learned from living off the grid with an independent solar system for 15 years.
*Energy Wasting Clue #1: The device has a remote.
Guilty devices-TV, VCR, stereo, garage door opener, satellite dish
*Energy Wasting Clue #2:The device has a light or lighted display.
Guilty devices-LCD clock, microwave with LCD, power strip, computer, speakers and peripherals, modem, cable box, desk phones
*Energy Wasting Clue #3: The device is used for charging other devices.
Guilty devices-chargers for batteries, laptop, cell phone, ipod, cordless, phone
*Energy Wasting Clue #4: The device has a timer, sensor or thermostat.
Guilty devices- sprinkler system, alarm system, a/c and heat thermostat, space heater
*Energy Wasting Clue #5: The device runs all the time.
Guilty devices-router, refrigerator, fish tank and pool filtration system, water heater, water fountain, fan
*Energy Wasting Clue #6: The device has a wall transformer.
Guilty devices-laptops, desk phones, chargers, lamps, photo printer
The culprit is convenience. It comes at a cost and it amounts to 5-10% of the electrical energy use by American households. A Phantom Load is the draw of electricity when a device is tuned off. Yes, even though the device is powered off it will still draw electricity in the standby mode unless it is unplugged. This ready-state is necessary for these devices to be convenient and ready for use.
What can you do?
*Energy Saving Solution #1- Un-plug electric devices when not in use.
*Energy Saving Solution #2- Plug devices into a power strip and turn off the power strip when the devices are not in use, when you are away from home or sleeping
*Energy Saving Solution #3- Switch to Energy Star appliances for those devices that are impractical to unplug.
Now you know what to do if you want to save 5-10% on your home energy bill. This simply change will work well for everyone so please share this energy saving tip with a friend.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B_Young
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