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unplug your tv!!!
Posted by Alicia Silverstone on May 4, 2011


TV

I must say, I love love love unplugging my TV after I’m done watching. I also love keeping my VCR/DVD player unplugged until I need to use it. The only thing that stays plugged in all the time is my DVR/Tivo type machine, since it won’t record anything if I unplug it.

Here’s my system: We have these 3 plugs for the TV (TV, DVD, DVR), and they’re all labeled. This helps me to know what I can unplug after I’m done watching TV or watching a movie. And for some reason, having this system seriously makes me deliriously happy! Every time I unplug the TV or the DVD/VCR player, I know that I am saving soo much energy, which is the best feeling!

When electronics or appliances or really anything with a power cord is plugged into a socket, they’re still using up energy. It seems weird, I know, but it’s true. So if you start doing this, and unplug things when you aren’t using them, you can save about 50% on all of your energy bills... Not to mention saving the Earth’s resources.

This is such an easy thing to do, I’d love it for you all to give it a try! Just take 5 minutes and label your cords. Keep them unplugged, and then whenever you need to use something, you’ll know which cord to plug in. It’s so easy and makes such a big difference.

Let me know if any of you have energy saving tricks of your own!

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  • Categories: house , environment

This post by Alicia inspired us to think about offering "Digital Detox" vacations by removing satellite TV from our rooms. We would still leave the DVD players for now. Would love to hear from the community what you think about that. Would you go to a nature resort like Rancho de Caldera that has no TV in rooms? http://www.ranchodecaldera.com You can also watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/panamatraveltips and/or share your opinion about this at our Twitter page http://www.twitter.com/panamatravels

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  • Amy
  • Jul 12, 2011
  • 57

I love unplugging things! I drive my finace crazy but he understands the concept and goes with the flow. ha ha. Another tiny thing...I let my hair mostly air dry to save on the amount of time I am using my hairdryer. On weekends (or low key days) I let it air dry completely. Less electricity and better for your hair...a win/win :)

When I was a Uni student turning everything off at the power point instead of leaving it on standby was just one of the ways I used to save money. Most people thought I was a strung out tree hugging hippie (I was studying Environmental Managment in the mid 90's so I probably was) but I was the only one not having heart failure when my energy bills arrived

Also a few years ago SBS (Australian independent TV and radio network) commissioned two programs which are available on DVD and possibly download and are quite an eye-opener in an entertaining kind of way and well worth seeking out (easy for me to say of course, I live in Melbourne!):

1. The EcoHouse Challenge http://www.sbs.com.au/shop/product/category/DVDs/201/Eco-House-Challenge

2. Is your house killing you? http://www.sbs.com.au/shop/product/category/DVDs/278/Is-Your-House-Killing-You

i live in australia and bought a foot switch to turn off my media and i love hitting the  switch as well - its easy with no plugging/unplugging involved. heres the link :http://www.originecostore.com.au/4-Outlet-1-Foot-Switch-Powerboard-Surge-Telecoms-Surge-Protection/FSPB2199.htm       cheers gayle

You're seriously awesome, Alicia!! Thanks for inspiring all of us.

I had an electrical fire in my place about 4 years ago. I now unplug everything before I go to work and yes, I immediately noticed a change in my utility bill as well. :)

 

I read this them got up and unplugged most of the plugs in my house, lol.

Another simple and practical way to be green and save green! Just went and tackled the cords in my apartment. Found a power strip in the knick-knacks box in the laundry room which I wasn't using. Rigged up the main lamp and Playstation wireless controller charger in the living room so it can be switched when needed. Sweeeet!! Thanks for the great tip!! :)

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