Energy Unplugged
I’m not exactly sure how I came across this “call for action”, but it has caused me to take a closer look at those little things in my world that, when combined, add up to BIG energy usage.
The PlugItOut! movement started in NYC inspired by the success of Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia where businesses and individuals were asked to turn off all their lights for 1 hour in March 2007. More than 2 million residents participated causing a 10.2% drop in energy usage!
This in turn inspired a handful of individuals to call on the people of NYC to remove themselves from the electric grid on Earth Day 2007 during the hours of 6:30-10:30 pm. This meant physically unplugging everything from the walls, (or turning the power off at the main source) & mentally unplugging from all the conveniences and distractions we take for granted, to appreciate all that is available to us, and acknowledge all that is not available to much of the world.
The 5th PlugItOut! event is scheduled for this Saturday, July 14th.
In April, I participated in Turn Off Your TV Week. I first thought how difficult it would be to not have the comforting “background noise” of my TV. After the second day of no TV, I realized how my evenings has become more peaceful and productive. The TV was actually more of a distraction.
According to the Department of Energy, in the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off (phantom load). This includes DVD players, stereos, TV, microwaves, alarm clocks, and even cell phones and iPods. Think about all of the electronic gadgets that we all have in our homes. Now think about unplugging!
What can you do to reduce the phantom load?
- Take a tour of your house, making note of all convenience items that are plugged in at all times. Note how often these items are used.
- Purchase or borrow a “kill-a-watt” meter to measure energy usage of common household appliances. A stereo can cost $20 or more per year when in standby!
- Plug things like TV, DVD player, & stereo into power strips to be easily shut off when not in use.
- Unplug the microwave, coffee maker, and other small appliances when not in use.
- Most electrical “conveniences” have a non-electrical equivalent. For example, replace your alarm clock radio with a non-electric alarm.
Turning off my TV for 1 week, started this process for myself. It gave me a chance to not only unplug an item that consumes a lot of energy, but it allowed me to “unplug” my brain from the distractions of my busy life. The TV was definately more of a distraction for me and took away from other things that I enjoyed. Rethink. What is truely a convenience in the home? What is more of a distraction?