Slaying the Energy Vampires
The push to unplug is gaining momentum. A couple of months ago I highlighted a simple way to save on electric bills: unplug electric devices when not in use. More recently, CNNMoney.com reported that California lawmakers are working on legislation dubbed the "Vampire Slayers Act" which would require electric products to carry labels stating how much electricity they use when on, off, or in standby mode. Apparently the state's legislators think of plugged in but not used TVs, coffee makers, and cell phone chargers as having their fangs attached to the necks of our electric outlets. And maybe they're not far off. Such "passive" electric use accounts for anywhere from 5 to 40 percent of a typical homeowner's electric bill.
Matt's View
One simple solution is to plug multiple devices into a power strip and then turn off the strip when the devices are not in use. Speaking of energy, with winter fast approaching, you might consider a home energy audit . A recent Yahoo Finance article recommended the government's Energy Star web site for additional ideas on making your home as energy efficient as possible.
This article filed in: Environment , Spending
Managing Money by The Book
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