Several Going True Green's Blog postings or articles written by Bill Lauto, Environmental Scientist and Energy Consultant, are published in different periodicals and formats. As of February 2015 some of them will be published in ET Week Media Group Publications, which was established in 1991. ET Week Publications presents a variety of print/digital media products that includes a bi-weekly lifestyle magazine. This magazine publication stimulates interest by incorporating a variety of editorial content. Going True Green wanted to share the first article draft accepted for the Home and Garden section of ET Week Magazine:
THE HIDDEN COST OF INDOOR WINTER GAMES
As cold air masses from the north move down upon us, we find ourselves huddled inside our warm homes while the electric bill piles up along with the snow outside. Snow days, winter break from school, a long holiday weekend, or a sick day, finds the family spending more time inside with every electronic home appliances. Playing video games, blasting the iPod over speakers and watching downloaded movies has replaced board games, which consume no electricity. Unfortunately, many of us may not know about the hidden electric cost from all these electronics that cannibalize our bank account.
Along with the cost of batteries for the remote controls, these entertainment appliances are using electricity even when off! Yes, that is the real snow job, these items are still using electrical power when just plugged in and not operating.
At first we might think that this electric cost could not add up to much, but when we start looking at the cable box for all the TV channels and a game console, we find a leech sucking at our money. One game console and one cable box, depending on the make and model, plugged into an outlet, can cost approximately $10.00 per month. So even if you never turn on your TV or play one game, you will waste energy and pay $120.00 per year! Yet, I will venture to say that many homes have two or three gaming consoles and cable boxes. So start multiplying…two gaming systems will cost up to $240.00 a year. How many entertainment items do you have plugged in? Don't forget to count the DVD player and stereo as well. Your TV is also on standby when off, still consuming electric power from the grid.
Along with the cost of batteries for the remote controls, these entertainment appliances are using electricity even when off! Yes, that is the real snow job, these items are still using electrical power when just plugged in and not operating.
At first we might think that this electric cost could not add up to much, but when we start looking at the cable box for all the TV channels and a game console, we find a leech sucking at our money. One game console and one cable box, depending on the make and model, plugged into an outlet, can cost approximately $10.00 per month. So even if you never turn on your TV or play one game, you will waste energy and pay $120.00 per year! Yet, I will venture to say that many homes have two or three gaming consoles and cable boxes. So start multiplying…two gaming systems will cost up to $240.00 a year. How many entertainment items do you have plugged in? Don't forget to count the DVD player and stereo as well. Your TV is also on standby when off, still consuming electric power from the grid.
Radio Signal Wall Switch The Easy Solution: Shut off all your Home Entertainment Appliances when you are done using them. Do so by buying a Power Strip that offers surge protection even when off and comes with a wall mounted on/off switch. By way of a radio signal, the switch turns on and off all your appliances that are plugged into the Power Strip.
A Power Strip saves on the electric bill because the appliance can no longer draw any electricity through the plug to maintain a "standby" mode. Yes, you will have to wait a couple of minutes for everything to power back up when turning the Power Strip back on, but that provides time to collect all your snacks and drinks you bought with all the money you saved.
Bill Lauto, GTG
Environmental Scientist at
GoingTrueGreen.com
Contribute your comments!
A Power Strip saves on the electric bill because the appliance can no longer draw any electricity through the plug to maintain a "standby" mode. Yes, you will have to wait a couple of minutes for everything to power back up when turning the Power Strip back on, but that provides time to collect all your snacks and drinks you bought with all the money you saved.
Bill Lauto, GTG
Environmental Scientist at
GoingTrueGreen.com
Contribute your comments!
