Here’s a list of 5 devices that are virtually always using electricity without the average person realizing it.
1. Computers
Almost everyone has a computer nowadays, and when they aren’t in use they’re usually still on. Many pcs are never even fully turned off. Instead they’re usually left in standby or sleep mode. Even in standby and sleep mode electricity is still being used. It may be a small amount but over time it adds up. Broadband routers are another culprit. Constantly on all through the night, and not being used while we are asleep.
2. Television/DVD Player
Televisions are another offender. We already know they are commonly left on when no one is even watching, but what most people don’t know is that even when off, electricity is still being consumed. Most of the newer TVs do this so they can turn on faster. In the past some televisions were known for taking a while to warm up. Same goes with DVD players and most other remote controlled devices. Electricity is constantly consumed, or else remote commands couldn’t be received.
3. Kitchen Appliances
This includes microwave ovens, stoves, and refrigerators just to name a few. While unplugging your stove and refrigerator isn’t a practical choice, you can always look for appliances with the energy star label. These are guaranteed to use a much lower wattage than most appliances when not in use.
4. Chargers
Cell phones chargers are the biggest offender here. Too often we will just leave the charger plugged into the wall without it even hooked up to our phone. Even though it’s not charging our phone, it’s still using the electricity. This isn’t limited to just phone chargers though. Any type of battery charger left plugged in will constantly use electricity.
5. Hot Water Heater
The hot water heater is probably the least thought about,yet largest consumer of electricity. Every time you use water, hot or cold, your hot water heater turns on. If you could see the electric meter on the outside of your house when this happens, you would see it furiously spinning away. I know of a few families that save tons of money by simply keeping their hot water heater turned off until someone is going to take a shower, and then turning it on about an hour beforehand. It may seem a little impractical at first, but it’s doing things like this that result in drastically lower electric bills and saving tons of money.