Save on your electricity bill

Did you know that most if not all the electrical gadgets in your home still use up power even when they appear to be turned off. These are known as phantom loads. The U.S. D.O.E. gives a figure of 75% of all power used by the various tv's, stereo's, computers, digital phones, etc. is consumed when turned off. If the figure seems high, consider that a TV turned on for 4 hours is still connected for the other 20 hours to the line that comes from your meter. We counted 17 such devices in our home and when you consider the hassle of individually unplugging each device there had to be a better way. With regard to large appliances that have digital timer readouts, not much can be done because the plugs are heavy 220 volt usually in awkward places. Possibly during a vacation or other prolonged absence you could flip off the circuit breakers which are intentionally placed in a convenient location. Just be sure you don't turn off the refrigerator like we did one time. Peewww!!

Powerstrips to the rescue! These devices are readily available from major hardware stores and there are two kinds. One is a simple 6 outlet strip with a switch, price starting at two for $6. Then there is a fancier kind that have built in surge protection, priced at $29 on up. Commercial 12 and 24 outlet strips are also available on line. You'll find that the 6 outlet will work in most home situations, and as a safety consideration will limit the number of plug ins at any given wall socket. Not only will you save, but this also adds a big advantage in having everything completely shut off during your absence. Thunderstorms can wreak havoc with plugged in devices even when turned off.

Now this all-on or all-off works fine, but consider that when your TV is on - so is the phantom load of your other items that are plugged in. A "Smart strip" is available which takes care of this, if you're willing to pay at least $45 on up. The cheapest way is to have two strips, one plugged into an outlet of the primary one that goes in the wall socket. If you buy the 2 for $6 deal your payback will return in the first month. Even the pricier surge protected ones will give you a payback in 3 or 4 months. The catch is that the makers tell you to replace them if they get hit with a power surge. As we never leave our stuff turned on while we're out, the simple switched kind works just fine.

Another tip, now that we're cooking more at home, we can realy save money by using a microwave instead of the big electric oven that came with buying the house. You can see a cost comparison on my hub "Quick & easy meatloaf." If you cook something that has to be browned (that a microwave cannot do) use a countertop toaster oven. Since we got ours we haven't had to turn on the big oven not once.

May your volts and amps be green

Jedgrey aka The Frugal Scot.