Did you know that there are household appliances that consume energy even when turned off? Their impact on the bill is truly notable and should absolutely not be underestimated.
It’s called “phantom consumption” and has an important impact on the bill, so much so that by disconnecting certain appliances, you can save more money than you might think.
Below we suggest a short list of devices that you should unplug at night to avoid phantom consumption.
1. Microwave
Although some kitchen appliances, such as the refrigerator, obviously cannot be disconnected, others can generate considerable consumption even when turned off. This is the case with the microwave, as well as the toaster and other similar devices that can be unplugged during the night.
The microwave almost always has a digital clock which involves energy consumption. If you don’t need to use it, unplug it.
2. Magazines
It is a habit that is as common as it is wrong: almost all of us leave our chargers constantly plugged into the electrical outlet.
We must not only think about cell phone chargers, but also those of tablets, laptops or electric toothbrushes.
3. Computer
You shouldn’t rely too much on computers’ standby mode: turning them off can make a huge difference.
Computers consume a lot of energy even in sleep mode, and tend to last less if you leave them on all the time.
4. Television
Its flashing lights are now part of our home, so much so that we no longer notice them, yet they consume energy.
A television screen can consume energy even when turned off, and for this reason it is a good idea to turn it off at night.
5. Refrigerator
This appliance must always remain turned on to preserve the food we store inside it.
However, you can turn off the refrigerator when you go on vacation or have to spend a lot of time away from home. If you switch it off during these periods, you can save quite a bit of money at the end of the month.
6. Ciabatte
We connect various appliances or other electrical devices to them and this means that when they are turned on, all the consumption that these devices generate will weigh on the bill.
Turn off your slippers when you’re not using them, you’ll see the difference on your bill.
7. Printer
We tend to leave this electronic device on all the time, also because it often goes into standby mode and we forget to turn it off.
Yet the printer is one of the devices that consumes the most electricity, even in standby mode.
8. Air conditioning
During the warm months it’s a lifesaver, but during the winter it’s a good idea to peel them off.
Air conditioning can consume electricity even if it is turned off.
9. Coffee machine
If you have an electric car, we’re sure you always leave it plugged in.
Yet turning it off and unplugging it is important both to save energy and to increase the life of the appliance.
10. Large appliances
The washing machine, dishwasher and dryer belong to this category. It is almost always difficult to unplug them, yet it can save us a lot of money.