Reducing Electricity Costs by Unplugging Devices

As energy prices soar across the nation, particularly exacerbated by intense summer heat, I've been on a mission to explore effective strategies for minimizing electricity usage at home.

There are several strategies to lower your monthly energy expenses beyond just switching off the lights. For example, raising your thermostat by 1°F can cut your bill by roughly 3%. Driven by data, I identified practical ways to save energy and, consequently, money.

Disconnecting a single unused device might not bring significant savings, but unplugging multiple ones can drastically reduce costs. Here, I share which devices to disconnect and how doing so can potentially save you up to $200 annually, contingent on local energy rates.

Home Entertainment and Office Electronics

Unplugging seldom-used televisions, such as those in guest or communal areas, could save between $2 and $6 annually per unit. This realization prompted me to disconnect TVs in less frequently used spaces immediately.

A powered, idle printer can add $3 to $8 annually to your bill by consuming between 2W to 6W. Also, gaming consoles in standby mode draw between 1.5W and 10W and can cost around $12 yearly if left unchecked. Disconnect these devices when not in use.

Audio equipment like soundbars and speakers should also be unplugged when not needed, particularly in rooms that aren't frequently used.

Kitchen Appliances

A Keurig coffeemaker left on standby—not asleep—consumes around 60W to 70W to keep its water hot. This can lead to spending up to $60 yearly. A similar consumption pattern is seen with mini-fridges that might run empty, consuming 50W to 100W. Consider unplugging seasonal or infrequently used appliances to save about $130 annually.

Idle Smart Devices

Smart home gadgets, although efficient, still draw power continuously. While smart devices generally have low phantom loads, they can add up if you have many. For instance, smart bulbs use about 1W, costing $0.65 to $1.30 each year.

I personally manage this by deactivating switches connected to seldom-used smart bulbs and unplugging inactive smart plugs.

Legacy Electronics

Older devices like DVD players, cable boxes, or set-top boxes can cost up to $20 annually if left plugged in. Take a survey of these non-essential gadgets, such as alarm clocks or hair dryers, and unplug them until necessary.

Additional Suggestions for Lowering Utility Bills

With sweltering high temperatures, employing certain tricks can further help in trimming down utility bills this summer.

Understanding 'Vampire Devices'

Devices that silently consume power while appearing off are referred to as 'vampire devices.' Disconnecting these can cut down as much as 10% from your energy bill with minimal effort, according to the US Department of Energy.

Is Unplugging Equipment Financially Beneficial?

Indeed, unplugging devices can notably diminish energy expenditure. Appliances, often forgotten when left on, continue to draw power. Making it a routine to disconnect them compounds potential savings over time.

Equipped with a comprehensive backup power system, I prioritize unplugging when outages hit. Using EcoFlow's app and Smart Home Panel, I can monitor and control power consumption, drastically cutting down usage by managing non-critical devices during outages.