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When the electricity is off due to weather, tree down, etc, I love the quiet. This got me to thinking about routinely cutting the power to the whole house for 12-14 hours a day. Maybe more. I have gas heat which doesn't require electricity.
My question is would this adversely effect electronics and appliances? I know that I would have to plan for things like hot water use but I live alone and don't think that would be a problem. I do not have a refrigerator. I use a cooler.
Is there a reason not to do this that I am not aware of? I'm not trying to save money as much as to live a quieter, more conservative life.
Why can't you just unplug/not use things? What do you having causing noise that isn't easy to just shut off?
This.
Cutting power at the main would add nothing to the equation. Or should I say subtract??
I guess unless you live in a house like my FIL's where you have SO MUCH ELECTRONIC CLUTTER plugged in that just the displays and power lights and perhaps fans create too much stimulation.
I guess unless you live in a house like my FIL's where you have SO MUCH ELECTRONIC CLUTTER plugged in that just the displays and power lights and perhaps fans create too much stimulation.
These are the devices I would worry about. Abrupt voltage surges experienced on startup and shutdown could be a potential problem. The devices should be protected, but daily surges probably won’t help. Plus, the fans are there to cool the devices. No cooling might be a problem, might not, as you are also eliminating heat by shutting down power. Certainly they can handle the occasional abrupt shutdown, but will a daily abrupt shutdown shorten their life? Microchips are not known for being tolerant of electrical spikes.
It’s possiblr that this plan might shorten the lifespan of your water heater. You will be running the element longer and harder, more regularly than typical design. Not sure if that would be significant.
I would worry most about HVAC equipment, but you already said you have no refrigerator, so 8 am guessing no heat pump or AC either.
These are the devices I would worry about. Abrupt voltage surges experienced on startup and shutdown could be a potential problem. The devices should be protected, but daily surges probably won’t help. Plus, the fans are there to cool the devices. No cooling might be a problem, might not, as you are also eliminating heat by shutting down power. Certainly they can handle the occasional abrupt shutdown, but will a daily abrupt shutdown shorten their life? Microchips are not known for being tolerant of electrical spikes.
It’s possiblr that this plan might shorten the lifespan of your water heater. You will be running the element longer and harder, more regularly than typical design. Not sure if that would be significant.
I would worry most about HVAC equipment, but you already said you have no refrigerator, so 8 am guessing no heat pump or AC either.
Oh for sure I'm in agreement with you, I think it's a terrible idea. If the OP does have a lot of clutter he would still be better off by unplugging it all locally.
I could unplug everything, but it would be much easier just to cut the power at one place.
You all don't notice how quiet the house is when the electricity is down?
My heat has no blower or thermostat.... no electric hook up. I bought this system because I live in a rural area where power outages can take awhile to fix if we have an ice storm, etc. So I don't need electricity to heat my very small house. I also dress warmly
I don't have "so much" electric clutter but I have enough that it makes a difference for the reasons mentioned.
So no one answered my question: is there a good reason not to do this? Is there a better place to post this question?
I could unplug everything, but it would be much easier just to cut the power at one place.
You all don't notice how quiet the house is when the electricity is down?
My heat has no blower or thermostat.... no electric hook up. I bought this system because I live in a rural area where power outages can take awhile to fix if we have an ice storm, etc. So I don't need electricity to heat my very small house. I also dress warmly
I don't have "so much" electric clutter but I have enough that it makes a difference for the reasons mentioned.
So no one answered my question: is there a good reason not to do this? Is there a better place to post this question?
fishbrains gave some good answers.
what exactly is making the noise just by being plugged in?
Maybe it's quieter when there's an outage because ALL the electricity in your vicinity is out? Not just yours.
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