Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
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With costs climbing across the US, energy prices stand out -made worse by record-breaking summer heat and recent waves scorching multiple states. Having endured several of them this season, I'm always searching for ways to cut back on energy use.
There are many little things you can do that can shave dollars off your monthly energy bill, and they go beyond switching off the lights when you leave the room. Did you know you can save 3% on cooling costs for every 1°F increase in your thermostat? As a fan of data, I've looked into multiple quantifiable ways to save energy and how these translate into saving money.
Also: 3 charging mistakes that are killing your tablet - and the simple fix you need
Unplugging a single device when not in use isn't going to save you a bucket of cash. But unplugging multiple devices adds up quickly to help you save, especially when you make a habit of it. Here are the devices you should unplug when they're not in use, and how doing so could save you almost $200 a year, depending on your local rates.
1. TVs, gaming consoles, and office devices
Adam Breeden/ZDNET
It's easy to forget to unplug TVs that aren't in daily use, but it happens more often than you'd think. This is especially true if you have a TV in a guest room or common area that isn't often occupied. Simply unplugging your TVs when not in use could save you between $2 and $6 a year for each one. As soon as I learned this, I ran to unplug my guest room and office TV.
Similarly, a printer left plugged in can cost between $3 and $8 a year when idle. One can consume between 2W and 6W when not in use, adding another good savings option.
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