Not so long ago I was searching online for power saving ideas (no gigantic bill this time, just pure curiosity).

I came across information about power usage for electronic devises that are not in use and was amazed to learn that many electronic devices continue to use power when switched off, or in stand-by mode.

This continuous draw of electricity called a Hidden Load, means unused devices that are plugged into a socket still draw at least 1 watt of electricity. (Thanks PowerWise.ca)

In an average home, 40% of all electricity used to power electronics is consumed when the devices are off.

Forty Percent!

I started roaming the house and realized there were many unused devises using electricity (I lost count around 23). There are many devices that never get used, such as our printer and scanner, but merrily consume energy while turned off.

Cords aren’t plugged into every available socket around here, but obviously some work needs to be done to reduce power use in my house.

[one moment…]

My cell phone charger, battery charger, toaster, espresso maker, and coffee machine are now unplugged!

I’m sure the coffee machine will be an issue when my spouse goes to make it in the morning and wonders why nothing happens. Hmmm, I better leave the cord dangling over the top or get to it first!

[inner giggle]

I know that running around frantically unplugging all of  the unused devices I spy is a bit dramatic and has me out of breath.

However, it has me thinking.

I’m thinking that along with wasted energy comes wasted money. Wasted money is not something anyone needs or wants, especially as pennies pinch in this current economic craziness.

A household that turns off one television, one video game console and one computer when not in use, for an average of 4 hours per day, can save more than $40 a year in energy costs, says BC Hydro.  And shutting down the computer for 12 hours each day can save $57 a year.

Wow! That’s $97 worth of groceries, a class for your kiddo or an unplanned event that goes right back into your pocket! Remember how much money I discovered when I looked at our household water usage? (You can get the scoop in my Water Wise article from last October). I am starting to see some serious pocket change come my way.

Besides chewing on all the wasted money (and digressing to future shoe purchases!), I wondered about damage to my computer after all this switching on and off.  The people over at PowerWise state that turning a computer on and off doesn’t do any damage. In fact, shutting it down reduces wear.

Get this: a laptop uses 90% less power than a desktop (bring on the laptop for Mother’s Day!!!) and flat-screen LDC monitors use 66% less electricity than standard ones.  Shutting down the computer can save 115 watts of power. At full power, computers and monitors draw about 125 watts of power. But in sleep mode, they use only about 10 watts. [whoa]

There certainly are a host of reasons to shut down my computer.

Turning off unused electronics seems fairly easy, especially given the environmental and monetary savings.

Unplug here.

Switch off there.

Change some habits.

And blamo… I’m inching my way closer to eco-godessness!

Okay, likely not so easy to change habits (especially those not my own). But this girl can try. The goal is to keep unused devises unplugged and get some devices grouped together on a power bar. I will certainly need some sticky notes to remind myself to turn things on!

Like my other acts of greenness, I’m not original in my actions. I’m not the first person to ponder wasted energy consumption or unplug unused electronic devices. I’m not even doing all that I can (yet).

I’ve started small but I’m a little more educated, a little more aware and a little more zealous than yesterday.

Unplug.

Disconnect.

Save.

Away I go!