Things You'll Need:
- All you need are power strips.
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Step 1
My power bill jumped remarkably higher last year. Partly because of an increase by the power company but mostly due to extra power zappers that we take for granted. I learned that anything with an LCD light continues to draw energy even while the item is turned off. Upon inspection of my house I was amazed at the zappers that were just sitting there eating my money!
I knew I needed to unplug them at least while at work and even at night after retiring to bed. But there were a million plugs and I am really too lazy to go around doing that. So this is the simple plan that works for me and even my daughter remembers to do it: -
Step 2
Bought Power strips; most have 6 outlets. Make sure to get one with a long cord. I required only three.
One for the family room accommodated the television, DVD, Phone/Internet Modem, Directv and laptop. Flip the switch off when not in use and all 6 are not drawing power.
One for the bedroom: Television, DVD, fan and lamp.
One for the office: Computer, lamp, printer.
For information on how to get the best one for your needs go to www.pickyguide.com
Another zapper is the dishwasher. If you have a large family they are the greatest but turning off the heated dry will save a lot on your energy bill. Putting those kids to work will save on average $40.00 a month. I proved it.
Leaving the air condition/heat on a consistent temp is something we hear all the time. When I am not home...who am I cooling? My chihuahua is always under the covers when I come home, even when I leave the air on 80 or the heat on 70 she is under something. So she obviously can deal with any temp, so who am I cooling if I leave it low? My temp is either off or on a higher temp in the summer or lower temp in the winter. Spring it's off all together. -
Step 3
The new light bulbs last longer and are more energy efficient. Switch them out. I know they cost a small fortune compared to the old kind but if your family has to have lights on in every room then they over the "few years" they are supposed to last will save you a lot. Although the dollar store bulbs and turning them off when you leave the room will save you just as much.
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Step 4
When running the tap while waiting for the water to get hot...catch that cold water in a gallon milk container and use it to water your flowers or cook with; better yet...filter it and save it for drinking!
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Step 5
Next I moved on to the Coffee Maker: it had a clock that I never used to tell time; I replaced it with one that works just as well with only the pause and serve feature. This works for me because I don't preset a time for my coffee to be ready for me as soon as my feet hit the floor. What if I don't want my feet to hit the floor when the coffee is done? What if I want to sleep in? Then the smell of burnt coffee or cold coffee if it's on a timer like mine was. But my daughter still unplugs the coffee pot on the way out of the door. lol
The Glade Plug-Ins were wonderful scented features for my house full of dogs. But I unplugged them and used refreshing carpet sanitizer instead and burn candles when I desire. I buy small candles that will go out on their own in case I forget. Yes, this happens to me.
The microwave is still unplugged by hand. The stove of course will not be and remains zapping unfortunately. The refrigerator is also zapping, but keeping the coils clean and the door closed helps. My grandchildren are the worst for standing in front of my side by side frig with both doors open waiting for something they want to magically appear. Meanwhile PWC is throwing a party in my behalf: Customer of the Month! I am sure I have contributed to the CEO's million dollar bonus! Meanwhile I'm eating dandelion greens from my back yard to save money! (actually I eat them because they are good and good for fighting cancer.) But needless to say: watch those grand kids! They may be cute but they are zappers! The TV goes on as soon as they enter the door. Minutes later the room is empty because they went outside, leaving the TV, Nintendo, and a light (A light! What did they need that for? It's daylight!) still running "zapping, zapping, zapping! My oldest daughter, their mother, has gotten on the computer that is next to the back door; turned it and the printer (is she going to print anything? NO!) on and is standing in the back door with it open, holding her cigarette outside while watching the monitor to see if a "message" pops up! "ZAPPING! ZAPPING! ZAPPING! "Well, you don't allow smoking in the house..." she says. She's right, and NOW I don't allow ZAPPING! The grand kids come halfway back in...I say halfway because the youngest is standing in the door, holding it open to talk to the one he was just outside with...incredible! ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!
My house may not be the place to zap but we still love each other. By the way I saved $53 in one month!
