It is difficult to overstate the convenience that home appliances bring us.
It is difficult to overstate the convenience that home appliances bring us. They account for a large chunk of our electricity bill, especially if your home has an electric furnace, boiler, and water heater. Today, we will go over some common suspects when it comes to electrical appliance usage and how to save on your home energy costs. Read on to learn more!
Do Your Appliances Use Electricity When They’re Plugged in But Turned Off?
A frequently asked question, especially for those looking to save money on their bills, is whether or not their appliances use electricity when they’re plugged in but turned off, and the answer is yes. Around ten percent of appliance energy usage occurs when a device is turned off. You may ask how this is possible since being turned “off” should stop the need for any electricity, right? Well, the clock on your microwave or stove has to get power from somewhere, and even smaller things like that red standby light on your television all use power. If you are looking to reduce your energy usage, consider unplugging some rarely used appliances.
How to Measure Electricity Used by Appliances
The easiest way to measure your power usage of a single appliance is to use some type of electricity plug monitor. These monitors come in different styles and shapes, but they all stick to the primary principle of being plugged into an outlet and then having your appliance plugged into it. The plug monitor will measure and display the amount of energy pulled by each appliance. New models will even send the information to an app on your phone.
Could Faulty Wiring Increase Electric Bills?
Yes, poor wiring could result in electrical “leakage,” where appliances can draw more power than usual to compensate for any lost energy. Anytime wiring has loosened connections, either inside your appliance or the wiring feeding an appliance, heat is generated. Heat in your electrical system is lost energy that is not producing work. Loosened connections could also cause serious issues in your home if it isn’t corrected. A loose connection will keep creating heat until the insulation on the wires starts to burn and melt. If it isn’t detected, the heating wiring could burn back the insulation until it comes into contact with combustible materials that could ignite and cause a fire. An electrical inspection can help you identify possible problems with your existing wires.
For ALL of Your Residential or Commercial Electrical Needs, Call TriStar Electric!
No matter the job, big or small, the professionals at TriStar Electric will be happy to discuss your project and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We offer free in-home consultations, plus an after-hours and emergency phone line for advice or service!
If you have any questions about our electrical repairs or upgrades, please contact TriStar Electric, Maryland’s’ premier residential and commercial electrician, by calling 410-799-5791 or 301-384-8880. Or, you can fill out the contact form on our website.
Are you looking for a quality electrician in Maryland, Washington DC, Southern Pennsylvania, or Northern Virginia? Take a look at TriStar Electric’s online reviews and ratings on Angie’s’ List, Yelp, Google, Facebook, Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland, and Better Business Bureau.