Who Blew The Fuse? Biggest Energy Consumption Culprits
Tuesday April 04, 2017
Even when homeowners make an effort to turn everything off when they leave a room, some devices can continue to drain energy from your home and money from your wallet long after you flip the switch. Be aware of some of the worst culprits so you can consider unplugging if you don’t really need them in standby. Our list doesn’t include the obvious candidates like air conditioners or refrigerators, opting to focus on overlooked consumers.
Game Consoles
Your Xbox or Playstation can cost you more than $100 each year if you don’t make an effort to keep them turned off while not in use. Modern consoles usually come with a standby mode that drains nearly no power, but if you leave a console running around the clock like some, it can prove disastrous both in terms of power usage and system performance.
DVRs and Set-Top Boxes
The innocuous box in your entertainment center can cost as much to keep running as a refrigerator. Because DVRs and cable boxes are always in standby and ready to use, they sometimes draw nearly as much power when turned off as they do when turned on. If you know you won’t be watching TV or recording on a certain screen for a while, save a few bucks and just unplug the box.
Microwaves
Microwaves gobble up power when they’re in use, but what about when they’re not? Microwaves are constantly drawing power to illuminate their clocks and keep their buttons on standby, and this can add up over time.
Ceiling Fans
The commonly-held belief that keeping a ceiling fan running carries negligible costs leads many homeowners to leave their fans running around the clock in every room of their house. Fans don’t actually cool a room, however - they just give us that sensation by moving air around. Turn fans off when you leave a room and turn them off when you enter. You’ll get all the same benefits but you won’t be paying for fans that aren’t helping anyone.
Fully Charged Devices
In the habit of leaving your laptop or phone on the charger after it reaches 100 percent? You’re probably wasting power. The power use from most chargers tapers off after charging a device, but they’re still burning electricity without any benefit to you or your device. Try to conserve battery and keep tabs on your charging habits.
About Chapple Electric
Chapple Electric LLC is a second generation, family owned company that was started in 1978 by our founder, Charles Chapple. What started out as a small 2 man operation doing residential electrical repairs has now become a large commercial, residential and industrial electrical contracting company, which operates with several crews across the state of Michigan. From the very beginning, complete customer satisfaction has been the cornerstone of our success and longevity.Chapple Electric is one of Michigan's most trusted names in electrical repairs, installation and upgrades. Since 1978, we have been committed to excellence in design, workmanship, competitive pricing and customer service.
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Why Choose Chapple Electric?
At Chapple Electric, we know that the electrical system is the lifeblood of any structure. How that system functions can either enhance or hamper the comfort and productivity of its occupants. In order for the electrical system to function properly, it must be designed and tailored to the owner's needs and usage, correctly installed and be backed by a service team available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.To ensure this happens, you need to work with a company that's on top of the trade. One that knows electrical systems inside and out, and is in step with all the current codes and standards for the profession as well as the latest in technological and product advances. A company that has the professional staff and experience to design, build, deliver, install and maintain a system that's done right. Read More
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- 11220 Torrey Road
- Fenton, MI 48430
- Phone: 810-691-6921