Unplug. Who knew it made so much cent$.

In today's world, we rely heavily on technology and electronic devices. From smartphones to smart homes, we use electricity to power our daily lives. Have you ever misplaced your phone, and then went to call it using your phone?... It happens to the best of us.

However, there's a downside to all this convenience: energy wasted and emissions created. Leaving electronic devices plugged in, even when they're not in use, can result in what's known as "vampire power" or standby power consumption. This can lead to higher energy bills, unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions, and increased strain on our power grids. That's why it makes sense to unplug electric devices when they're not in use. To put this into perspective, there are roughly 330 million people in the United States, say each one of us has a charger plugged in at both our home and office, at all times; that’s 660 million chargers pulling vampire energy for no reason. You can start to see how micro-actions can turn into a macro impact.

The benefits of unplugging devices are numerous. Firstly, it can save you money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, standby power consumption can account for up to 10% of your monthly electricity bill. By unplugging devices when you're not using them, you can significantly reduce this unnecessary expense. This is especially important for large appliances like televisions, computers, and game consoles, which can consume a lot of energy when they're left on standby.

Secondly, unplugging devices is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. The electricity we use creates emissions when generating that energy and transmitting it to our homes. By reducing your electricity consumption, you're reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere, i.e., a superhero in disguise.

Another benefit of unplugging devices is that it can help extend their lifespan. Electronic devices generate heat when they're plugged in, even when they're not in use. This heat can cause wear and tear on internal components, leading to a shorter lifespan for the device. By unplugging devices when they're not in use, you can reduce the amount of heat they generate and extend the timeline of your wallet being lightened by buying its replacement.

What’s pretty cool about this climate action is that it doesn't require any special equipment or expertise, and it doesn't take much effort. All you need to do is unplug devices when you're not using them and plug them back in when you need to use them again. It's a small change that can have a big impact over time.

🔥 Sustaio Hot Tip:

Get some powerstrips to more easily turn off the high-traffic appliance and charging areas. With the flick of one switch you can turn off your living room’s vampire energy hub.