Saving electricity question (lol)

[Pikarya]

Someone at work said even if you turn off an electronic thats plugged into the wall. It still uses a small amount of power and they suggested I turn the surge off everytime.

Is this true? Does it even really help if so? I'm guessing its something like $1-$5 dollars saved a month, if that lol.

[AzazaelFenrir]

Someone at work said even if you turn off an electronic thats plugged into the wall. It still uses a small amount of power and they suggested I turn the surge off everytime.

Is this true? Does it even really help if so? I'm guessing its something like $1-$5 dollars saved a month, if that lol.

It is true in that it still uses a little electricity yes. New electronics like to keep the circuits warm to provide you the end user a quicker power up (at least that is what I have read).

I have also read that the savings is pretty small, which is why I don't worry about it myself.

[Viena]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standby_power

[Pikarya]

Thanks alot, never knew about phantom load till now lol.

[levish]

Someone at work said even if you turn off an electronic thats plugged into the wall. It still uses a small amount of power and they suggested I turn the surge off everytime.

Is this true? Does it even really help if so? I'm guessing its something like $1-$5 dollars saved a month, if that lol.

$1-5 a month is probably the safe side but it adds up if you do other stuff too

[Elesirdur]

I believe ThinkGeek is selling power strips that have full kill-switch relays on them that will allow you to completely stop electricity being drawn from electrical devices without unplugging them from the wall.

I do unplug things like my electric kettle, hot plate (damn cramped kitchenette without a proper range), fans etc when they're not in use. However, I don't unplug my TV, 360, PS3, computer, microwave, etc because of the hassle of getting at those electrical outlets.

Anyway, little efforts like what you're describing do help reduce your overall energy consumption and reduce the demand for electricity in your area. Considering you live in Georgia I'm going to be that the electricity in your home is generated at either a coal or natural gas-burning thermal plant, which isn't clean energy by any stretch of the imagination.