Many people have the habit of leaving electronic plugs plugged into sockets even when not in use. However, this can consume a small amount of electricity and generate a lot of heat, raising the temperature inside the house. Therefore, it is best to unplug power-hungry appliances when not in use to keep the house cooler and save on electricity bills, especially during hot summer days.
According to the UK non-profit organization “Smart Energy GB,” many appliances in standby mode when not in use are not completely turned off; they are simply waiting to restart upon receiving a signal. In this state, appliances still consume a small amount of electricity.
Although the standby power consumption of a single appliance may be minimal, having multiple devices in standby mode can lead to gradually increasing energy bills. In fact, based on data from the “Energy Saving Trust,” switching off appliances in standby mode can reduce energy consumption, saving around £45 (60 USD) on electricity bills per year.
Additionally, turning off appliances in standby mode can prevent them from emitting heat and raising the temperature inside the house, thus keeping the home cooler.
Experts from Green Energy UK suggest that during hot weather, it’s best to avoid using appliances like dryers that generate a lot of heat. For other appliances, it’s advisable to unplug them when not in use to prevent them from consuming electricity and generating heat.
Even smaller devices like mobile phone chargers can contribute to heating up your home as they can raise the temperature of surfaces like bedside tables and carpets, retaining more heat in your bedroom at night.
Therefore, it’s recommended to spend 5 minutes before bedtime ensuring all appliances are turned off (unplugged or switched off at the socket) to significantly keep your home cool.
“Smart Energy GB” suggests implementing some simple yet effective steps to reduce standby power consumption at home:
– Check the sockets in your home. If the switch next to a socket is turned on, any plugged-in appliance may still be drawing power in standby mode. However, do not immediately switch off all power sources on the wall as some appliances require continuous power supply.
– Refer to the instruction manual of appliances. Some devices, like video recorders, may need to stay plugged in to record satellite or digital TV programs. Refrigerators and freezers also need to be on constantly to maintain safe temperatures.
– Turn off appliances from the source. If you find appliances plugged in and the socket switch is on when not in use, turn it off. Most appliances can be turned off from the socket without affecting their settings.
– Identify which appliances consume the most power. The “Energy Saving Trust” has compiled a list of the most power-hungry household appliances. To save electricity, consider turning off these unused appliances as much as possible.
These appliances include:
(1) Washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers
(2) Refrigerators and freezers
(3) Televisions, laptops, and gaming consoles
(4) Light fixtures
(5) Ovens, microwaves, and electric kettles