10 Pull the plug

Using your electronics to save energy

As the lights go out at bedtime, they reveal themselves: tiny colorful lights that serve as reminders of the blessings we take for granted. They are our cell phone chargers, computers and other assorted luxuries many of us leave plugged in and turned on constantly. They are symbols of our nation’s wealth and luxury, but they are also big drains on our wallets and our environment.

Because many modern appliances and machines draw power even when turned off, leaving them plugged in when not in use can raise your home’s energy consumption by as much as 20 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Your TV, VCR, DVD player and even some coffee makers use energy on stand-by, so weaning them off the juice helps reduce our nation’s reliance on nonrenewable resources like coal, natural gas and oil that pollute the environment. And let’s be honest: how many of us ever figure out how to program our VCR or DVD player anyway?

To get started saving energy, do a sweep of your home, going room to room looking for anything with a light or that feels warm to the touch. Some electronics, like your TV, may not have a light or be warm, but it’s still smart to pull the plug.

And when we say “pull the plug,” it doesn’t have to be literal. You don’t have to sacrifice all the convenience of constant power if you invest in a few good power strips that have on/off switches. Using those will allow you to turn off entire banks of electronics when not in use.

And next time you’re looking at a shiny new laptop (or any electronic device or appliance), consider one that carries the EnergyStar logo. You’ll save money in the long run and help keep our world beautiful. –Patrick Yeagle