{"id":28647,"date":"2023-01-09T13:07:22","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T13:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/09\/does-unplugging-electronics-and-appliances-actually-save-money\/"},"modified":"2023-01-09T13:07:22","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T13:07:22","slug":"does-unplugging-electronics-and-appliances-actually-save-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/09\/does-unplugging-electronics-and-appliances-actually-save-money\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Unplugging Electronics and Appliances Actually Save Money?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\n
\"A
NAN2535\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unplugging electronic devices and appliances to save money seems like a proposition with an obvious outcome, but it\u2019s actually much more nuanced than you might think. Here\u2019s the inside scoop on when you will save money\u2014and when you won\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The Secret Variable Is Phantom Loads<\/h2>\n

Whether or not you\u2019re going to save any money on your electric bill by unplugging a given device depends entirely on whether or not that device has what is known as a \u201cphantom load<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some devices are binary. Either they are on and performing their function, consuming electricity in the process, or completely off with no power load.<\/p>\n

Traditional incandescent light bulbs (and their \u201cdumb\u201d LED replacements) are like this. So are simple devices like basic space heaters. Either the heater is warming up the room, or it\u2019s not.<\/p>\n

But some devices consume electricity all the time, even when they don\u2019t appear to be doing anything. Smart bulbs draw a tiny bit of power when they are off, because they need to stay \u201con\u201d\u2014at least at the circuit level\u2014to receive commands. And if your space heater includes a thermostat to turn itself on and off automatically, it will draw power even when it appears to be off, too.<\/p>\n

And some devices, like cable boxes<\/a> or game consoles with fast-start modes<\/a>, draw a substantial amount of power even when they appear to be turned off.<\/p>\n

So Which Devices Should You Unplug?<\/h2>\n

If you want the easy (but not necessarily the most time-efficient) way to solve the problem, here\u2019s what to do. Unplug everything you don\u2019t regularly use, leaving anything that has to stay plugged in for the safety and security of your home (such as your sump pump).<\/p>\n

If you want a more nuanced approach where you\u2019re not unplugging things with zero saving to show for it, you need to grab a watt meter<\/a> and test how much power your devices draw when plugged in but turned off.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how I figured out my media center setup was wasting around $30 a year<\/a>. It\u2019s also how I figured out that other devices were wasting nothing (or mere cents a year), and it wouldn\u2019t be worth unplugging them.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\"\"
\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

To get a headstart on identifying which devices are worth investigating and potentially unplugging, read our guide to identifying phantom loads<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ultimately how much money you save by unplugging things will vary based on what you have in your home, the size of your home, and how efficient your devices and appliances are. But consider this as a rough guideline. By the estimation of various environmental agencies and the EPA, phantom loads account for roughly 10% of the average home\u2019s electric bill.<\/p>\n

Even if you reduce your home\u2019s phantom load in half, you could easily save 5% on your electric bill. And if you find a particularly egregious device, like an old stereo amplifier sucking down 50W around the clock, you could shave around $70 off your annual power bill by only plugging in the amp when you need it. The savings are out there if you\u2019re willing to dig in and look for them.<\/p>\n

And, the best part about using a watt meter to dig in and look is that you come away from the experience knowing exactly where you can save money\u2014like unplugging that old stereo amp\u2014and where you\u2019ll save nothing at all\u2014like unplugging your phone charger<\/a>.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> Tested: Should You Unplug Chargers When You’re Not Using Them?<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n