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Gadgets are great for our fast-paced world and they have their place. But these days it can feel like everything is electronic, has a thick instruction manual, and needs to be charged at the end of the day. While the exact statistic varies, the average American has between 25 and 45 gadgets that need batteries or charging to function. That's a whole lot of energy going into items that we likely don't need, and a whole lot of opportunity to eliminate vampire power.
If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by wires and want to simplify for a greener life, here are some easy places where you can unplug or consolidate the electronics in your life, cut down your electricity bill and never look back.
Unplug the Coffee Maker – Switch to French Press
Coffee enthusiasts will agree that coffee made with a French press tastes a whole lot better than drip coffee because your coffee isn't being heated from the top via water and the bottom via the hot plate. Additionally, it eliminates the need for filters. Instead of a coffee pot, use a far more energy-efficient hot pot to heat your water and go with the easy clean-up of a French press, leaving behind wasted energy and a bitter taste.
Unplug the Electric Toothbrush – Switch to Manual Brush
Electric toothbrushes are popular because of their ability to thoroughly clean teeth with next to no effort from the user. However, they suck up energy for recharging and draw phantom power if the charger is left plugged in. Trim the corners of your energy bill and simplify by taking up the trusty manual toothbrush. There are great, eco-friendly options like the Radius, which uses recycled materials and has replaceable brushes. And if you're worried about getting a thorough cleaning, try brushing during a television commercial break or a favorite song so that your brushing is timed and you're entertained.
Unplug the Can Opener – Switch to an Old Fashioned Crank Opener
Electric can openers are handy but they don't save time or effort when compared to a quality manual can opener. They are phantom power culprits since they're usually kept plugged in 24/7. While the thought of old can openers strike terror in the wrists of those who used to use them, newer can openers are actually a breeze to use, even for people with mild hand or wrist issues. Usually you can open a can more quickly, easily, and definitely more cheaply with a modern manual opener.
Unplug the alarm clock – Switch to Your Cell Phone
Consolidating gadgets is a great way to save on energy and simplify. Our cell phones today do everything but wash the dishes. You can eliminate a wide range of gadgets from your life just by using all the features of your cell phone. A favorite is the alarm clock. Reclaim space on your nightstand and say goodbye to the dreaded flashing 12:00 by setting your alarm on your cell phone. You can even set a second alarm time as a back up, and wake up to a favorite song. This eliminates a source of phantom power or a battery user, and makes fuller use of a phone you probably paid good money for.
Unplug the Dryer – Switch to a Clothes Line
This is a huge energy saver. A clothes dryer is second only to a refrigerator as a home's biggest energy sucker. You can save an average of $85 a year by air drying your clothes. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing as a natural fabric softener and hang your clothes up to dry in a breezy place. There are a thousand and one DIY possibilities for racks, but top options include a mesh drying rack or hanging rack in a room that stays pretty warm or has a window, or outside on a patio. I use the ledge above my closet and most shirts are dry within a couple hours, and pants are dry overnight.
Unplug the...
Take simplifying a step further. Look around your house and count up all the things that require plugging in or batteries for operation. Then decide on a percentage that you want to cut back, such as 20% or 25%. Then decide which items you don't really need – things that have human-powered alternatives or that do tasks another of your gadgets can take up. Freecycle or donate those gadgets you don't need, and take a deep sigh of freedom.
Read more on simplifying:
More and More 'Stuff': What Can You Do Without?
Eco-Tip: Eliminating Phantom Loads
5 Simple Green Things That Will Drastically Cut Your Energy Bills
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