Search Login or Get an Account!
x
or
Get the Facts Do Your Part
This is a core SixLinks guide
250 Using Energy points
by Steven Skoczen Guide: Put all loads on power strips

Steven's action: Put all loads on power strips

Hidden loads from devices that aren't on can make up a rather large portion of your electrical costs. Doing this will reduce the amount of energy appliances consume when they're not on.
Step 1: Identify locations for power strips read more
Entertainment centers and kitchen appliances are great places to target. Make sure you get anything with a clock. Anything that has a remote control or a "wall wart" (block that converts the power between the wall and the device) also should be on power strips.
June 3, 2009
Shortly after moving in, we put most of our loads on $2 power strips from IKEA. However, before checking this one off, I'm going to do a full review of the house, and make sure we didn't miss anything!

(SixLinks office, I'm looking at you)
Completed on June 19, 2009 at 9:24 p.m.
Step 2: Purchase and install power strips read more
Make sure to group items that are commonly used together. Like an entire media center, your toaster oven and coffee maker, or your home office. Be sure to not put things you use very rarely on the same power strip as those you use everyday, unless you put another power strip between them, so you can keep the rarely used device off when the other stuff is on, but turn everything off together (Thanks to Sam for this suggestion).
June 19, 2009
We just had a house meeting, and verified that every load in the house is on a power strip.

Notably, a lot of the less-used strips include lights, which makes it easy to remember to turn them off!
Completed on June 19, 2009 at 9:28 p.m.
Step 3: Turn them off when not in use read more
That is why you're doing this after all. Putting the devices on power strips doesn't do anything if you forget to turn them off all the time. Once you feel like you've gotten into the habit of actually using the power strips for at least a couple weeks, you're done.
Completed on June 19, 2009 at 9:28 p.m.
All Done!
Tomo Says:Great Job!
Updates and Comments: What is this?
The updates and comments below show how Steven is doing in completing his action. You can leave him comments, suggestions and encouragement using the box below.
Tomo Says:Becoming a supporting member is easy. Just donate any amount to SixLinks monthly. Really, that's it, and that's how we keep running!
Feedback/Bugs Support SixLinks FAQ About Us Media Terms of Use Privacy