It’s been hot and I have extra appliances plugged in to help keep my home cool. I also have televisions, desktops, a toaster, a coffeemaker and other appliances that seem to be turned off but are really sucking up energy that no one is using.
In fact, I found this calculator on Avista’s website recently and it showed me that I’m using an extra 1214 kilowatt hours a year because of devices that are always on.
This page offered me some ideas to reduce always on loads. First, I need to unplug items I’m not using, like the television in my bedroom, the toaster or any power adapter that I’m not currently using for charging my cellphone or tablet.
I can use a digital timer for items like a programmable coffeemaker or any holiday lights I have up.
Smart strips or power strips are very handy in a house like mine—it’s 112 years old and averages about one outlet per room. Not only do they offer me extra outlets, they also turn off the power to televisions, desktop computers, printers or anything else that are not in use. Just click the off button on a regular power strip, or if you have a smart strip, it will do that for you.
I can adjust the settings on my computer to turn itself off after 30 minutes of inactivity, and make sure that my printer isn’t set to turn on when I turn on my computer. I can turn that on only when I need it.
If you are curious as to how much energy you can save by controlling your always on loads, check out the webpage above to get started.
Lisa, an Avista customer, bought her 1910 house because she loved the old-world character, some of which doesn’t make her house very energy efficient. Lisa is sharing her experience on taking some simple do-it-yourself improvements to inspire others to do the same. You’ll find her stories right here every Tuesday morning.