Week of August 3rd - turn power off if not needed, etc. (how much)

[atlantagreg30127]

A few months ago on the radio they mentioned this and they did so again today, so, a reminder:

For the next couple of days, we are going to near 100 degrees in the area (actual temps). You should take this opportunity to go around your home and/or offices and turn any unnecessary electrical items OFF, when not in use. We've been lucky this year in that Brownouts/Blacksouts have been nearly nonexistent, but these temps really do tax the system as folks crank up their A/C and leave other things on.

Tips:

1) Set your A/C to 75 degrees or higher.

2) Unplug your DVRs if not in use (they use more power than some A/C units, even when in "standby" mode).

3) Turn off desktop computers if not in use - even in sleep mode, they're using juice. Turn off the power strips too, as devices will draw a trickle of power (sometimes up to 25% of normal) even when turned off.

4) Wait until later in the day/evening to use your clothes drier.

5) Turn off any lights (especially those using incandescent bulbs) if you don't really need them on.


Much of it is common sense, but we do tend to "lapse" and forget this stuff. Not only will it save you money if you do these things regularly, but at times when it's so hot like this if enough folks do it, it helps avoid outages.

[brent6969]

Great advice........Ready for Fall.

[atlantagreg30127]

I think it came as a surprise to most folks as to just how much power DVRs and set top boxes/receivers in general use (even when you think you have them turned off) when the studies came in:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/us...pagewanted=all

[JPD]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I think it came as a surprise to most folks as to just how much power DVRs and set top boxes/receivers in general use (even when you think you have them turned off) when the studies came in:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/us...pagewanted=all

It definitely surprised me. What a disgrace. We got rid of Comcast shortly after that study came out. I don't miss those clowns one bit.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I think it came as a surprise to most folks as to just how much power DVRs and set top boxes/receivers in general use (even when you think you have them turned off) when the studies came in:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/us...pagewanted=all

In my opinion, it's worth buying a Kil-O-Watt power monitor for $30 or so just to see what various items draw for power. My old TV was horrible ... when it was "off", it used almost as much power as when it was on!

[AnsleyPark]

Thanks, Greg. This is really something all of us should be doing as a matter of fact every day!

[MathmanMathman]

I'm logging off...right now.

[Esteban5]

Yes, thanks for the reminder. We keep our thermostat at 79.