You must have heard how it’s important to unplug your mobile device chargers when they aren’t connected. That’s because these chargers continue to drain electricity. While this is a fact, the truth also is that the amount of power that mobile phones and other similar devices draw, is minuscule compared to the amount of power that larger electrical appliances and equipment in your home or commercial premises use.

The electronics we are referring to are the modern, advanced ones that have standby settings; they significantly escalate your utility bills even when they aren’t being used. These energy guzzlers can easily account for up to 10% of an average-size home’s energy consumption.

As mentioned at the start, mobile phone chargers are a very good example of energy guzzlers as they don’t perform any function when they aren’t charging the phones; and there is absolutely no downside to and ensuring they are unplugged most of the time. One more classic example is the microwave that uses more standby energy compared to a mobile device’s charger; this is because the former powers a digital clock.

But it’s common for people to leave that plugged in, as many people tend to use it to check the time when they are in the kitchen. These types of devices don’t account for sizeable energy wastage; however, video games, computer, flat screen TV and home theatre systems are entirely a different story. These appliances are becoming increasingly sophisticated and use advanced technology and over the years manufacturers have begun focusing more on the amount of time it takes for these machines to start up.

That is how the “standby mode” came into existence. That isn’t an “off” mode; when a device is in the “standby mode” it continues to draw power to keep various components and processes working; this helps “wake them” very quickly once you want to use them again. In most cases, the default standby settings aren’t the most energy-friendly, but you can customize them to suit your requirements. You will be able to find more information in the product manuals that come with these devices; alternatively, you can look in the device’s settings menu for the different power options.

Though these advanced technology electronics can be an energy-drain, the simplest and fail-safe method of preventing this from happening is to pull the plug. The sure-shot way to stop devices from driving up your utility bill is to disconnect them from the devices. If you find this too inconvenient, you can utilize power strips. When you hit the main power button on the power strip, the power gets fully disconnected even when you leave the strip plugged in.

The other way to add to the energy-efficiency of your home is to look for devices with higher energy star ratings when you are purchasing any new appliances and equipment. Check on which devices use less power when they are in standby mode as well. If you have any energy-efficiency concerns about any appliances and installations in your home, call Allround Electricals today.

Now that it is time to take down the holiday lights, you probably have realized how dark your yard really is without the benefit of the twinkling lights and various yard decorations. With the days very short and the nights long, you will likely want to have some outdoor lighting installed. This is something a Santa Monica electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you with. Outdoor lighting isn’t just for summer. It is a useful tool year round and can provide an element of safety and security to your home as well as aesthetically appealing.

During these short winter days, it is a good idea to consider electric outdoor lighting over the solar variety. Because of the limited amount of sun available during the winter, the solar lights do not always get a full charge and are either very dim or fade out in the early hours when it is still dark outside leaving your landscaping under a cloak of darkness. The electric lights are much more reliable and give you a little more freedom in placing the lights in your landscaping.

It is best if you have the electric lights installed by an electrician. Santa Monica residents will appreciate a professional handling the wiring of the lights. This will give you peace of mind the job is done right and you won’t have to worry about electrical shorts or hazards being created when the lights are hooked into your home’s main power. One popular option many homeowners choose is the installation of a timer that will automatically turn the lights off and on at a designated time. You won’t have to worry about remembering to turn them off or on. If you are ready to dress up your landscaping this winter, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your landscape lighting installation.