Sometimes ya just can't win

[billeyler]

In response to the newspaper article this morning that 5% of the electric used in the US is from "Vampire Gadgets" sucking power while on standby or digitally showing us the time (already noted at great length by rfrench in other posts), I unplugged my 1972 college flip clock in the downstairs guest room and the large format digital clock in the upstairs bedroom, since there is infrequently anyone in those rooms.

Danny then started talking about replacing our no-frills coffee pot with one that has auto-time and auto-grind capabilities.

Sigh...

[edit: Danny was just joking of course, but although our electric bills show we use much less than the average household, it still feels like our entire lives are controlled by electrical equipment]

Comments

[discord35.livejournal.com]

I disconnected most of my devices that have a standby mode. I unplugged the microwave months and months ago; at this point I should simply get rid of it. My digital clock/radio went away, replaced by a cheap wind-up travel alarm clock.

I have no television or DVD player, but I still have a VCR because Dakota told me not to get rid of it. It sits on a shelf, unplugged.

I have my computer speakers, DSL router and wireless base station on an extension cord, and I unplug them when I leave the house. This saves power and makes it impossible for anyone to hack into my wireless network while I'm gone.

So the only things that draw power continuously are my refrigerator and my laptop. And I'm wondering about the fridge, since I don't store anything in there that's still edible. :-P

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

That's very thoughtful of you! You're definitely a low-maintenance kind of guy!