Energy Vampires

[poundwise]

I have seen this topic mentioned before on this forum. However, I was never convinced to do anything or persuaded of what would be worth doing until I read this article, so I thought I'd share the link.

Slay Your Energy Vampires

[boefixepa]

Interesting. I have all of my TV and related toys plugged into a power strip. The power strip in plugged into a device that allows me to cut the power by a remote center. I got it at Radio Shack and use it for all my lights too. I can press one button and all the lights in my living room come on/off, another and the TV and relatives come to life or go to bed. It's been great.

[Ima saver]

Your relatives come to life when you push a button????

[fultron]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

Your relatives come to life when you push a button????

lmao ...thanks for the laugh

I always knew appliances used energy even when they were off, but 40% of your household use seems a bit steep. Nevertheless, it's a good money-saving practice to unplug appliances when they're not in use.

[Ima saver]

I don't do it for the tv's and vcr's. They are in built in cabinets and very hard to reach. I will do better planning in the next house. I did just unplug dh's cell phone charger!

[boefixepa]

Oh Ima!! Good one!

Just for clarification I meant the TV's relatives! The VCR, DVD, Direct TV, etc....

One button turns everything in the living room off when it's time to head to bed, so nice!

[JanH]

We use the remote thingy for Christmas lights and such, but I never thought of using it for TVs and things! I never reprogram the microwave and such, but do you have to reprogram things often? Or is it so simple that it takes little time when you need it?

[budgetmom]

I've been really trying to get the hang of doing this. I sometimes forget, but DH is the worst! He is always "forgetting" to turn off his PC at night. I tease him and call it his mistress, LOL... Does that remote really cut off the power supply completely? How much does it cost? And more importantly, do thay make ones for husbands?

[Lori63]

Hubby thinks this is ridiculous, so I unplug lots when he goes to work and plug back in before he gets home. It's only about 8-10 hours a day but every little bit helps.