Help me Unplug

[GirlBoyGirl]

I would love to keep more things unplugged when not in use, but I can't get DH on board because he doesn't want to be bothered. What do you have that you keep unplugged? Is there a way to even unplug the stove? I know the plug is hidden so that is probably a dumb question. I know my biggest battle will be the TV and entertainment center stuff because he doesn't want to keep programming the VCR. I wonder if we can keep the VCR plugged in 24/7 but keep everything else on a surge...? We don't have a cable box so I could probably just plug the TV in when I want to watch it and then unplug it, couldn't I? Or would it go through all the channel setting/programming every time? That takes FOREVER! Any other advice or suggestions welcome, thanks!

[greekislandgirl]

I may be wrong but I don't think your stove will draw anything even while plugged in, as long as it's off. The TV will, though. Some TVs have a "really off" switch (manual, not on the remote) which turns it off so that the remote won't turn it on, you have to hit this button again manually - this will keep it from burning pretty much any electricity, but it will depend on whether your TV has this.

I unplug kitchen appliances (coffee maker, food processor) mainly because I don't want them to go on accidentally. If your coffee maker has a clock or something you can save electricity by unplugging it. Same with microwave. Anything with a light.

I have heard that ANYTHING in the outlet will draw at least some power, I'm not sure if it's really measurable though.

[frugal is fun]

I used to have my tv/cable box/vcr on a power trip that I would turn off when not in use. It does take an extra few minutes for it to "reload" itself. I never had to reprogram anything.

when I moved two years ago I gave up the powerstrip for the tv and just make sure everything is really off and I have not noticed any difference in my electric bill so not sure how much that was actually saving..probably pennies.


I do unplug my small kitchen appliances coffee pot, toaster, micro wave.

[Mom2-3]

I only unplug lights, toaster, coffee pot, hairdryer... etc. I leave the TV plugged in. Anything I would have to move to unplug/plug in stays put.

[low-1]

It's not really practical to unplug the stove. If it has a clock in it (which most do) then there will be a little bit of a draw, but because it draws so much current when it's being used, you would need a very heavy switch, or have to mess around with pulling it out to unplug it every time. Just not worth it in my opinion.

Other appliances and electronics do make sense to unplug. I bought one of those kill-a-watt energy meters to sniff around a bit, and the satellite box uses just about the same amount of power whether it's being used or turned "off". The simplest way of tackling this to make it easy to to group electronics onto powerbars, then using a single switch to truly "turn off" multiple devices at once. Keep in mind, though, that power bars are specifically for electronics, not appliances. They should not be used for anything that heats up electrically, such as toasters, coffee makers, curling irons, hair dryers, etc. They are not designed for the power requirements of heating devices and can become a significant fire hazard.

[GirlBoyGirl]

Thanks everyone!

[frugalfranny]

I only unplug lights, toaster, coffee pot, hairdryer... etc. I leave the TV plugged in. Anything I would have to move to unplug/plug in stays put.

I do pretty much the same........only I have a couple lamps that I don't unplug........a little unhandy to reach the plug on one and one is on a timer.

I am glad that I can reach my dryer and unplug it as I checked the meter---before they put me on a digital----and it did make a difference. I unplug washer and dryer.

I also don't unplug my microwave as I tried it and found that I use
the clock on it a lot more than I thought. (no other clock in kitchen)