For this premier edition of "Instantly Greener", I'm choosing something that's super-easy to do and might just save you a couple hundred bucks over the course of a year: Unplug any appliances that you're not using, right now. That includes the toaster you use for 5 minutes a day and don't use for the other 23 hours and 55 minutes, and the coffee-maker you use for a half hour a day and don't use for the other 23-and-a-half hours. Don't even get me started on the cell phone charger that's plugged in indefinitely with no cell phone in sight.
Why should you unplug an appliance if it's already switched off? For the same reason that you wouldn't allow a slow trickle of water to run from your faucet for months on end (at least I hope you wouldn't): natural resources are going down the drain. This wasteful effect is called "Phantom Load" or "Vampire Energy" and according to Sally Deneen of The Daily Green, "If your home is typical, you live with 20 vampires. They add about $200 to your annual energy bill. That’s because the 'off' button doesn’t really mean 'off' these days; instead, it means 'standby.'"
Vampires might be all the rage thanks to the "Twilight" movies, but they're not so appealing when they're adding up to higher energy costs and lower natural resources. Don't let yourself get sucked in--unplug those vampires today.
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It is true about chargers. In fact leaving those plugged in without charging anything can actually shorten the life of a charger. Stereos, VCRs, DVD players, etc, actually say "Stand by" and they have that clock, so if you unplug it, then when you plug it in, you have to reset the clock. Same with the microwave oven. But, toasters? If I can find a reasonably priced measuring device, then I will run some tests that and other appliances myself.
Posted by: Alex C Jones | 01/24/2013 at 07:21 PM
Our toaster oven has a green LED light that's on as long as it's plugged in, so it's still drawing power. But you're right--not as much as the other things you mentioned.
I always appreciate your comments, Alex!
Posted by: Joy @ JoyfullyGreen.com | 01/24/2013 at 08:36 PM
My first thought is "I got to get one of those!" and to run out to buy a toaster that has a green LED light, because our toaster does not have one.
On the other hand, I have received the message of your previous blog articles, and have fought the consumerist urge, and am learning to be happy with the toaster we have.
If I do buy a meter and run some tests, then maybe I can compare it with other toasters. Maybe someone else has done that research. I'll see if I can find it first.
Posted by: Alex C Jones | 01/25/2013 at 06:07 PM
That's the spirit, Alex--resist the urge to buy more things when what you already have will do just fine!
Posted by: Joy @ JoyfullyGreen.com | 01/28/2013 at 06:49 PM