Unplugging

There was a time when we were told to unplug our appliances when not in use as a means of saving energy. That was when those appliances added up to maybe one television in the living room and a radio in each of the bedrooms. Unplugging the cords was no big chore. Today, of course, electronic devises rule our lives, and while they may be more energy efficient than those boxy tube-invested televisions of yesteryear, unplugging is still a worthwhile practice.

According to a recent story in Mother Jones magazine by Kiera Butler, the Environmental Protection Agency says the average American household spends $100 a year on plugged-in gadgets that are not even in use. Nationwide, that accounts for 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, which could power nearly 9 million homes and adds up to $11 billion in charges.

The top six plugged-in-but-unused energy suckers, in order, are:

1. Cable boxes

2. Computers

3. Televisions

4. Audio/video (iPod & Blu-ray etc.)

5. Game consoles

6. Digital picture frames