Home electronics can make our personal lives simpler and more efficient. However, it’s essential to be mindful of their energy usage to have a better understanding of how they may affect energy consumption within the home.
Thinking about power modes
Before purchasing smart home gadgets, consider the type of power modes they utilize to get an idea of the power usage you can expect from them. This way, you can find great systems, without hiking up your electricity bill.
In general, electronics operate in 1 to 4 modes and can continue to draw power after being turned off. These modes include:
- Active: The system is in use. For example, a TV playing a movie.
- Active standby: Electronic isn’t being used for primary function but is turned on and ready to go. For example, your cell phone charging.
- Passive standby: System appears to be turned off but can be turned on with a click of a button or remote. For example, a microwave.
- Off: The whole system is shut down without any sort of functionality.
Cozy comforts for entertainment & relaxation
Home entertainment systems are great for enhancing fun at home and often consist of smart TVs for quick access to your favorite streaming services and speakers with quality audio.
Depending on your system many home entertainment gadgets can sync up to your smart phone for remote control. Some of the latest gadgets include power saving modes that when enabled, consume less energy saving you money over the long run.
Computers and home office equipment
If you would like to enhance your home office, the latest laptops and computers can be a great aid to your workload. However, it’s good to be mindful of the amount of energy they consume to have more control over your energy bill.
For example, on average, desktop computers consume around 239 watts of power annually versus laptops, which consume about 75 watts of power per year.
A new laptop or home entertainment system is always super exciting and can help with tasks around the house. However, before purchasing these systems paying attention to their energy usage can help in saving money on your energy bill.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
