How Much Does Falling Asleep with the TV on Cost You?

How much energy are you wasting? Have you ever thought about it? Most of us think that leaving our cell phone charger plugged in or leaving the TV on isn't that bad. Wrong! These little things really add up!

Did you know...?

• If you keep your computer monitor on all the time it will cost you $.60 cents a day or $18 am month.
  • Using the “hibernate” or “sleep” feature is just as good as powering off.
• If you fall asleep watching television, you’ll find that you’ll pay about $6 a month for the privilege.
• Keeping your cell phone and battery charger plugged in may cost you $1.50 a month.
• Keeping a night light plugged in will cost you 50¢ a month if you keep it plugged in 24/7.
• Turning down your thermostat while you’re out of the house for at least 8 hours will save you about $100 per year.
• Unplug any AC transformers (chargers) that you are not using. They still use electricity even when not being used. Put your hand on the power source for a cable modem or a cell phone charger when it’s plugged in, but not in use. If it’s cool, it’s probably a newer, more efficient model. If it’s warm, it’s wasting electricity. Some older models run up to 25 percent of full power when they’re doing nothing.
• Today’s bigger HDTV’s consume 85 percent of their power when they’re turned on.

Here are some ways you can start saving now:

• Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Make sure you recycle them properly. 
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle. 
• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use. 
• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power). 
• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F. 
• Take short showers instead of baths. 
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. 
• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.

Stop the Leaks! Sources of Air Leaks in Your Home:

1. Dropped ceiling
2. Recessed light 
3. Attic entrance 
4. Electric wires & box 
5. Plumbing utilities and penetration 
6. Water and furnace flues 
7. All ducts 
8. Door sashes and frames 
9. Chimney penetration 
10. Warm air register 
11. Window sashes & frames 
12. Baseboards, coves and interior trim 
13. Plumbing access panel 
14. Electrical outlets & switches 
15. Light fixtures 
16. Sill plates

For information on how to stop these leaks, see:

Air Seal & Insulate with ENERGY STAR Home Sealing
or call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 255-5522.