DAVID Hampshere unplugged 3 gadgets at home to significantly reduce his annual electricity bill. You can easily do it too.
The 55-year-old real estate professional has long found himself with multiple computers connected at all times, but only using one at a time.
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So one day he decided to pull the plug, and it’s safe to say it paid off.
Until June, when David decided to turn off his gaming PC and two laptops, he was averaging $130 a month in electricity bills.
After unplugging the appliances, that amount dropped to $100 at David’s home in Florida.
Overall, this reduced his bill by $360 a year.
Computers and laptops are known as vampire appliances.
Other appliances of this kind include televisions, cable boxes, and even chargers.
In 2015, a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that energy consumption from “unused” appliances cost the average home about $165 a year.
On the other hand, the cost can be as high as $440 per household based on top-notch rates.
“That’s what drove me to try a little experiment,” David told The Sun.
“Saving money is always a magical bonus.
David said he originally plugged in all his computer vampire appliances out of sheer habit.
But when he first unplugged his gaming PC, he decided to unplug his laptop a few days later.
I still use my computer, but I only plug it in when I need to use it.
Otherwise, you’ll save energy and money at the same time because you’re out of the outlet.
Some might say it’s inconvenient to replug, but David said he doesn’t mind because it’s a habit.
Taking the leap of monitoring your appliances and actively unplugging them when not in use may seem like a small thing, but we can all take control of our overall energy habits.
“You can make a difference,” said David.
“It may be small for you. But if a good percentage of us actually make that change, it will make a big difference in our society.”
Other ways to save electricity
There are other ways to save money on your electricity bill, but unplugging electronics when you’re not using them may be the easiest.
Plus, you can switch to energy efficient light bulbs. These use less energy and are better for the environment.
Amazingly, replacing your old appliances with new ones can save you money on your utility bills while reducing your greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Consumer Reports, a new washing machine with the Energy Star label uses 25% less energy and up to 75% less water than a 20-year-old washing machine.
And with a programmable thermostat, you can set when you want your heating and air conditioning to turn on based on your schedule.
Turning your thermostat down 7-10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day can save you as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling costs.
Another tip: Use hot or cold water when washing your clothes, as hot water tends to double your energy usage.
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