phantom energy waste

[sisuspirit]

I found this sight yesterday and was reading somewhere that if you leave things plugged in even if they are not turned on, it drains energy from your system. Try as I might I can NOT find where I was yesterday to find the name of the article cited. MY FAMILY DOES NOT BELIEVE IT! Seems like someone with the name "pennypincher" or something was writing about it. Does anyone know about this and could advice me, Please?

[PrincessPerky]

oh man, I don't know where that one is, but a quick yahoo search of 'phantom load' turned up lots of sites

http://www.imagineenergy.net/phantomloads.php

and don't worry most no one believes it, but I always wonder what makes the outlet strip hot if it isn't electricity!

I turn mine off. and unplug what isn't stripped.

[sisuspirit]

Thanks!! I didn't even know what it was called! I will search for it!

[Ima saver]

I bought a device called kil o watt and it measure how much power something uses. I have heard about unplugging everything and wanted to see if things do pull power. I keep the toaster plugged in all night, it pulls NO power. Somethings do, like the vcr and tv. If it feels hot (plug) then it does use some power. The toaster, canopener,my water purifier (while not in use) does not pull power.

[sisuspirit]

I saw that device from the site from Princess Perky. Was it worth the $30 dollars you spent on it? You know I live in an old house in the mountains of Northern Utah, I mean REALLY in the mountains up a small canyon and our heating and electric bills are killing me. I am trying to find anyway to cut down on their cost. We use propane and just to heat my house for the winter cost me over 150 dollars a MONTH for 12 months. It's incrediable. Everything else in my house is run on electricity, the stove, waterheater,dryer etc. and my power bill is 120 dollars a month. I am reading these post about 28 dollars a month and such and I am sick. My family is NOT into conservation...I have tried and failed to get them interested but it's no skin off their noses I am the one footing the bill. I have been reading like mad over the last few days and I am thrilled to find this board. I am learning alot but anything that you or anyone knows about cutting down on propane costs I would really appreciate. I have gotten a larger tank and am buying the propane at the lower summer cost but any help in weatherizing a home I would be grateful for. We have four fire places but I don't know any effective way to use them. That sounds dumb but we all leave during the day and I don't know how to heat a house all night with a fire. I really need some good advice! I know I can do things better but knowledge is the first step! Thank you!

[Ima saver]

My biggest money saving in electricity is turning off the hot water heater. We only turn it on when we take a shower or run the dishwasher. The rest of the time, it is off. It only takes 20 minutes to preheat the water for a shower.

[sisuspirit]

You turn it off during the day? Boy am I NEW at this? I guess I don't really understand how it works. Does it keep water heated all day long? I wonder what my husband would do if he had to wait 20 minutes for a shower.......How much do you think it saves you. I'd fight him if it was worth the cost!

[Ima saver]

It will probably cut 15 or 20 percent off of your electric bill. I have been doing this for 30 years. My husband is a builder and he puts a switch in all the houses in the kitchen, so people don't have to go to the circuit breaker to turn it off.
We did have to use the circuit breaker in our last houses and it was no problem. I just turn it on about 20 minutes before he comes home from work and turn it off right away when he is done.
What else do you need hot water for? Just the dishwasher. Wash all your clothes in cold water.
I am sure I have saved thousands over the past 30 years!

[sisuspirit]

I am going to try it! We will see how much resistance is met!!! I bet that old freezer I have that we hardly use is a big energy hog too! I wonder what is even in it. Geez I have alot to learn........I am going to unplug my printers, VCR's, anything with a "hot " plug or with a clock or timer. Thank you

[Ima saver]

I think a freezer would pull a lot of power too, that is why I have never had one. The only thing we keep frozen is ice cubes and ice cream.