Does anyone here unplug washer & dryer when not using

**NikoSan999** · 07-20-2009, 01:23 PM

I was doing laundry over the weekend as it is supposed to be less peak hours on weekend and even less after 9pm. As I was putting clothes in washer I looked up and noticed the plug in for the washer and dryer within reach.
Does anyone unplug the washer and dryer when not using them? Does anyone know if it does any damage to the machines plugging and unplugging over and over?
I know alot of people on here actually do meter readings of appliances when plugged and unplugged. Has anyone who has done this have any idea of how much less electric used? How much it might have saved them a month. I have tried reading the meter and eyesight is not to good.
I have nearly everything possible unplugged except hubbys things. He says I'm killing him with this bull. He dosent' believe in phantom electric. Says if it is turned off it's not costing anything.
I found 2 lamps that we never use plugged in over the weekend and unplugged those and a 7watt nightlight in the utility room. Did that one also.
But curious if anyone goes as far as doing the washer and dryer and if so how much they think it might save them a month.
One thing I'm afraid of is the cords dropping back behind the machines and having to have him dig them out. Man, would the crap hit the fan on that one.

**Saydee** · 07-20-2009, 01:39 PM

We don't unplug the cords but my DH disconnects the water hose thing in case it breaks while we are out of town..

**Grainlady** · 07-20-2009, 02:09 PM

I'm not aware of phantom electric use from W/D. We routinely turn the water off at the supply valves when we are done doing laundry. You probably use more electricity with the incandescent lights in your refrigerator/freezer.

This link may give you some information:
[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power[/ame]

We purchased a Kill-A-Watt Meter that gives you a read-out of energy use of an appliance/gadget... (won't work on a clothes dryer because it's 220). That's how we knew it was cheaper to run our 1-gallon water distiller for 21-cents than it was to purchase fill-yourself reverse-osmosis water for 35-39-cents a gallon.

**JanieD** · 07-20-2009, 03:34 PM

I do unplug my dryer. I think it saves on electricity, but can't "prove it". I noticed a hum when the cycle would finish & thought to be safe I would unplug it. I do read my meter often (not always daily, but I try) & notice an increase if it or the tv & gadgets (dvd, booster, etc) are plugged in (not in use).

**Greebo** · 07-20-2009, 03:38 PM

I would think that the only washers and dryers that would have any phantom electric usage would be those with complex electronic control panels - LED's and touch buttons and stuff like that.

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-20-2009, 04:19 PM

No. It's difficult to get to the plugs and there is no wiggle room in there. We have about enough room to stand in front of the dryer with 1 small basket (have to lean sideways to get to the washer because there is like 8" in front of it.) So I couldn't get to the cords if I wanted to.

**frugalfranny** · 07-20-2009, 04:22 PM

Interesting that you asked this.......I was just thinking about this last week. Will be interesting to see what others say......

My thinking is that IF there is the elec. coming through that it would be quite a bit and show on the speed of your meter. The dryer pulls a lot of juice when it is running........why not a little more than the others when not running but not unplugged? A few trips up and down my stairs, but I might see if I can check it out this week.......good excercise during the heat!

Glad you asked this...........

**onencgirl** · 07-20-2009, 04:33 PM

I can't reach mine to unplug.

**calimomx2** · 07-20-2009, 05:34 PM

We unplug ours when we are out of town. I have the front loaders with all the buttons

**NikoSan999** · 07-20-2009, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Interesting that you asked this.......I was just thinking about this last week. Will be interesting to see what others say......

My thinking is that IF there is the elec. coming through that it would be quite a bit and show on the speed of your meter. The dryer pulls a lot of juice when it is running........why not a little more than the others when not running but not unplugged? A few trips up and down my stairs, but I might see if I can check it out this week.......good excercise during the heat!

Glad you asked this...........

Thank you...if you do do this please post your outcome. I just plain can't see the thing even with my glasses. Tried. I'd be curious with it not running and plugged and unplugged.

Talked to an air conditioning guy today who had just put a new energy saver air conditioner in his house. Asked him if he believed in phantom electric and he said no. Unfortunately my husband was sitting there when he said no. Didn't help my case at all.
But please post if and when you do the experiment. I'd love to hear the results as would probably a bunch of other people.

Wish I could think of a few more things to unplug.

**Rangia** · 07-20-2009, 07:19 PM

Nope I don't think I believe in the phantom electric either, my deceased BIL worked on electronics he never mentioned anything. However anything with like a light that tells you the product is off, some entertainment systems for example, we have on a extension cord that has the on and off switch.

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-20-2009, 07:19 PM

I dont unplug mine but because I am worried the cords would get lost behind the machine. I have a front loader with all those fancy electrical buttons on front so wondering if they still pull electricity even when not in use?

**NikoSan999** · 07-20-2009, 08:13 PM

mine is push button also and lights up with time left
but no lights when off
hope someone who can actually see does the experiment
I would think if it does then it would be alot
don"t have a clue
think I"ll start another thread on who believes in phantom electric
This is interesting

**Grainlady** · 07-20-2009, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by NikoSan999

mine is push button also and lights up with time left
but no lights when off
hope someone who can actually see does the experiment
I would think if it does then it would be alot
don"t have a clue
think I"ll start another thread on who believes in phantom electric
This is interesting

You can check your 110 volt electric appliances/gadgets/electronics for "phantom" or "stand-by" electric use by placing a Watt-A-Meter on them. It doesn't go by belief or unbelief, but by what's actually being drawn by the item it's plugged into whether it's on or off.

**scrap_candles** · 07-21-2009, 05:20 PM

I also have wondered about this. We have one of those he front load washers and dryers that have all the fancy electronics. Thought they were great until the control panel on the dryer went out and cost us $300 to fix. I guess a dryer doesnt really need stupid parts like that, I was without it for 4 weeks while they ordered parts and had time to repair it.

Anyway, I have never checked on electric consumption from them because I could not reach the cords but couldnt you just turn the breakers on and off easier? Will turning breakers on and off multiple times hurt anything?