Global Energy City

Ok I took an unexpected vacation.  Yeah my job lets me do that but while I’m away my empty house (don’t think of anything I’m secure) is using power in my absence.  So what to do to get a little bonus savings on my electric bill?

The simplest thing you can do is that anything you don’t have to have powered not only turn off unplug. N Not only is this an energy saver it can save the device in a lighting strike and reduce the risk of electrical fire.  Here is a list of items that you may or may not know use power when you’re gone.  

• DVD/VCR/TV - Yep they use power when ‘off’.  That way they power up quick and respond to the remote.  Although you may have to reset channels and settings.  A couple minutes of that is a small price to pay.
• Tivo/DVR - Unless you REALLY have to have that show while you’re away unplug this. 
• Coffee Maker - Automatic Coffee makers with timers do use a sip of power.
• Air Conditioning/Heat - While it may not be a good idea to shut them off completely. Turning them down/up will save energy. 
• Chargers/Bricks/Transformers - If you don’t need them (e.g. for an alarm system) unplug them.  

Finally to keep your house a little safer using timers is a great idea.  They do use some power but the security bonus is BIG.  Just don’t plug them into an incandescent use a CF or LED bulb. 

So while I’m off on vacation a little planning in energy savings can give you a few more bucks for postcards.