The holidays are here, and with that comes exciting vacations. But just before you leave, it’s important that you unplug appliances that aren’t necessary for home maintenance. Most people only check home security, which is important but not enough.
Luckily, we’ve got a checklist to help you do a home appliance check. This list will guide you on what to unplug to save energy, lower your electric bill, and prevent potential fire hazards.
Once you’ve ticked everything off, you can enjoy your vacation knowing your appliances are safe and your home is stress-free.
Countertop Appliances
Kitchen appliances like coffee makers, microwaves, toaster ovens, and electric kettles are often left plugged in for convenience. Some, like microwaves, also have digital clock displays that help you keep track of time. But the issue with these appliances is they drain power even when you’re not using them. So, unplug everything on your countertop to conserve energy and reduce costs before leaving for your trip.
Dishwasher
The dishwasher is another kitchen appliance you should unplug if you plan to be away for a while. Beyond consuming energy, dishwashers could also pose a danger in case of water damage, which is the last thing you want to deal with after coming home from a relaxing trip. To avoid that, make sure it’s unplugged. In fact, the house water supply should be turned off as an extra measure of protection. Bonus tip: leave the dishwasher slightly open for ventilation and to avoid odors and mildew.
TV
Did you know that your TV drains power even when it’s switched off? Now you know! TVs are among the biggest household energy vampires. These are devices that continue consuming power even when they’re off. While you certainly don’t leave the TV on when you’re leaving the house, going the extra step to unplug it is advised to conserve energy and protect it from power surges.
Computers
Protect your computer from electric damage caused by voltage spikes by unplugging it before going on vacation. Can you imagine coming back to the house and turning on your computer only to realize it doesn’t work? If you use yours for work especially, that would be a devastating situation. Electricity and heat can still flow through the monitor, keyboard, printer, and other accessories when the computer is off, which increases the risk of electric fire. So, unplug yours to protect your home and save money on your electric bill.
Washer and Dryer
Like the dishwasher, your washer and dryer can also cause quite a headache in case they’re left plugged in and your home gets water damage. These large appliances also use a lot of energy while on standby even when they aren’t actively in use. To stay on the safe side, unplug your washer and dryer and remember to clean them, particularly the dryer because dust and lint buildup can increase the risk of a fire.
Gaming Consoles
Gaming consoles might be secretly adding to your electric bill without you even realizing it. Sure, features like power-saving modes and custom settings can help, depending on whether you own a PS5, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox. But if you’re heading out of town for a few days, the smartest move is to just unplug them entirely and conserve some energy. Additionally, unplugging will help prevent damage in case of power issues.
Cable Boxes
Another sneaky culprit that contributes to high electric bills while you’re away is the cable box. These devices consume the same amount of energy on standby as they do while streaming or recording television. While you’re off relaxing on vacation, your cable box is still hard at work, draining power like you’re still at home watching TV. Avoid the shock of a high electric bill when you get back by unplugging it before you go.
Stereo System
For many of us, a stereo system is one of our favorite possessions because nothing fixes a bad day faster than soaking in a relaxing bath while you listen to immersive music. If that sounds like you, ensure you protect your stereo this season by unplugging it before your trip. Beyond protecting it from power surges, doing that will reduce the energy drain caused by standby lights and other features that continue running even when the stereo system is off.
Chargers
Whether it’s a laptop, phone, or even a stick vacuum, make sure to unplug all the chargers in the house in case you’ll be away for a while. Chargers still draw power even when they’re not actively charging anything, which ultimately means more energy consumption and higher bills. Additionally, unplugging chargers lowers the risk of potential fire hazards and ensures no damage is caused to connected appliances.
Routers
Routers are an essential part of everyday life as they provide internet connectivity for various purposes around the house. It’s a good idea to take care of them by unplugging them when you’re away. Unplugging routers allows them to reset and ensures they remain in good working condition. So, unless your home security system requires internet connectivity, ensure you also unplug your router.
Space Heaters
Space heaters and other heating devices like electric blankets produce a lot of heat when in use. They’re super handy, especially in the colder months, but it’s so important to unplug them when you’re not using them, as they can easily overheat and start a fire. When left plugged in, they pose significant safety risks, which can cause worry while you’re miles away enjoying your vacation.
Electric Toothbrush
If you want to keep maintaining your oral hygiene with this efficient and convenient device, remember to unplug it. Like most other electronic appliances, electric toothbrushes also consume power when they’re in standby mode. Make sure to take it off the charger and unplug the charger too. While you’re at it, don’t forget other small bathroom gadgets like your hair dryer.
Desktop Lamp
You know that lamp you love that makes the room feel warm and cozy enough to enjoy a good book without dozing off? It may be consuming more power than you think. Most people don’t know this, but desktop lamps still drain electricity even when they’re not on. If you’re traveling this season and have one or multiple lamps in your house, unplug them all to save on energy costs.
Smart Speakers
In recent years, technology has made life at home more fun and convenient, especially with the rise of smart home gadgets. Among our favorites in this category are smart speakers. These devices allow you to do things like control the music, check the weather, and even turn off the lights without lifting a finger! That said, this convenience comes at a price. Since they’re always listening for voice commands, they can consume a lot of power even when they’re not in use. So, disconnect them before your vacation.
Power Strips
We’re ending the list with an appliance that ensures most of your devices are powered down: the power strip. Though they don’t consume that much power by themselves, power strips still drain power even when the devices connected to them are not in use. Devices in standby mode can add up to 10% to your electric bill, so you can’t afford to ignore them. Luckily, unplugging your power strip takes care of it all in one go, so you can relax on vacation knowing everything that needs to be off is actually off.
