Powerstrips

[Cymbaline]

Does anyone know if you use a powerstrip that has an on and off button will it still use power if left plugged in?


I have been reading several posts on unplugging appliances and I think this is a great idea but like some people have mentioned, several items are hard to plug and unplug.

Thank You!

[StaceyS]

That's a good question. I have several things on power strips and shut them off all the time. I don't think they do, because my electric bill is always around $15. The only thing that stays on is my tiny fridge.

[mombottoo]

I have a few different power strips and when they are turned off, they are off.

[Puffy]

I live along the St Lawrence River and have had a computer fried from an electrical storm. Whenever we even hear of lightening as a possibility we unplug. Surge protectors have limits for how much they will guarantee, lightening can't get through if it's not pluged in.

[Marie78]

Good point about unplugging the powerstrips. We turn ours off and have noticed a $10 decrease each month in our electric bill. It would maybe be wiser to even go one step further and unplug them, especially if there's a thunderstorm in the area.

[Cymbaline]

Thanks everyone for your input!

[pkellyc]

I leave everything on because I have a corner cabinet for my entertainment system and a large cabinet for my computer. My strips are just too hard to reach. Recently I was told that there are power strips with remotes to them. I plan on buying a couple. How cool is that.

[EnergyBoomer]

We have a few outlets that are controlled by a light switch on the wall. If you plug your expensive electronics into power strip plugged into such an outlet, the easy to reach light switch will shut it all off.

You need an indicator light to let you know when it is on. If your power strip has a light on it good. An LED night light works good too.

[ab27]

I leave everything on because I have a corner cabinet for my entertainment system and a large cabinet for my computer. My strips are just too hard to reach. Recently I was told that there are power strips with remotes to them. I plan on buying a couple. How cool is that.

You can also make them easier to reach by plugging the powerstrip into an extension cord and duct taping the powerstrip to the side of the cabinet. Also, it is better to let your computer run 24/7 than to turn it on or of every day. The heating up and cooling cycles of the computer will wear out parts faster, so leaving it at a constant temp is important.