Saving on your electricity bill can be as simple as doing a small daily habit that many people don’t know about. Unplugging appliances you’re not using is the number one way to make a difference. If you were unaware of this fact, here are 8 common appliances that you should unplug to reduce your electricity bill and keep your home safer. Read on to learn more about saving money in your home.
Be aware of all the devices you have in your home
Many devices continue to consume energy even when they are switched off, known as phantom consumption, and some can even pose a fire risk if left on constantly. Here are 8 common appliances that should be unplugged to reduce your electricity bills and keep your home safer.
1. Kitchen appliances
Toasters, air fryers, blenders, slow cookers and even electric fryers should be unplugged whenever they are not in use. Leaving them switched on not only consumes unnecessary energy, but also increases the risk of electrical fires due to faulty circuits or frayed wires.
2. Hair dryers and styling tools
Heat appliances such as hair straighteners and hairdryers can overheat if they remain plugged in, even if they are switched off. Most of these problems occur when there is a faulty internal cable, so it is safest to always unplug them.
3. Small heaters and electric blankets
These devices should be unplugged immediately after use. Even if they are switched off, they can still cause a fire if they have internal faults or overheat, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
4. Chargers
Leaving chargers plugged in – even if they are not charging anything – also consumes electricity. They can also become unnecessarily hot. Unplugging them when not in use reduces the risk of short circuits and helps eliminate phantom consumption.
5. Power strips or power strips
Power strips are useful, but also dangerous if overloaded. To avoid overheating or possible fires, it is recommended not to connect too many devices at once and to unplug the power strip when not in use.
6. Electric kettles
After brewing your tea or coffee, be sure to unplug the kettle. These appliances generate high temperatures, making them vulnerable to overheating which can cause dangerous malfunctions if left plugged in.
7. Candle warmers
Although they may seem harmless, electric candle warmers should also be unplugged when not in use. This not only prevents a fire, but also extends the life of the appliance and the aroma of the wax.
8. Electronics such as televisions and computers
Although the risk of fire is lower with these appliances, they still consume energy even when switched off. Unplugging them completely when they are not in use can make a difference to your electricity bill.
How can devices consume energy? Everything you need to know in order to save
Once you know which devices can alter the price of electricity consumption in your home, we are also going to present the origin of all the consumption itself. The appliance may be switched off, i.e. it may not be working, but if it is connected to the grid, it consumes electricity known as phantom consumption. This is known as standby or standby mode. Sometimes the appliance itself even indicates that it is connected by means of a light or pilot light that remains on. Appliances that tell the time, such as ovens or microwave ovens, also have a constant consumption.
Phantom consumption is caused by the way in which new generation electronic devices are designed. These devices have a transformer inside. This part adapts the voltage (from the 230 volts from the mains to the voltage required by the appliance) via two coils and, even if the device is not working, one of these coils is always active.
This is the reason why, on many occasions, we can see the red pilot light that informs us that the device is on standby. In other cases, they do not have this pilot light, but the coil is still working, so there will still be phantom consumption.
