Growing up and living with Grandmother has its own set of horror stories, but the one thing I clearly remember is her telling us when we left a room to shut off the lights. Of course she went a bit too far and made us do it even if we were leaving to go to the bathroom - but she wanted to save money, not energy.
First up let me tell you this: I am not an Al Gore fear monger. I do not believe we are frying the planet by breathing.
But - come on … just how much money would you save if you shut off the stuff you weren’t using?
Do this - before going to bed tonight shut off all the lights, let your eyes adjust and then walk through the house.
How many lights are on?
The green glow from the VCR you never use in the spare bed room - unplug it.
The flashing clock in the spare room from the last time the power went out - unplug it.
The ceiling fan in the spare room you never use, turn it off.
There are the Blackberry’s and cell-phones plugged in, the printer on stand-by, the digital cable boxes and much more.
How much energy is being consumed by stuff in the middle of the night?
Sure there are items that to unplug when not using would be a bigger pain than saving energy (ie: the clock on the stove), but I wonder how much you would save if you unplugged the stuff you don’t use?
When the power goes out at night around here the house is really really dark. With all the widgets, gadgets and what-nots normally on, I don’t need the night-lights!
Turn it off if you’re not using it. Save some money.
Tags: Conservation, Energy
