The next time you’re going to be away from home, whether leaving it for an hour or going out of town for the weekend, unplug your devices and appliances before you leave.

If you have an electric blanket or other appliance that requires a timer, set it to turn off before you leave so that it only stays on for a short time, saving energy and money while no one’s using it.

Here are nine ways to keep your devices from wasting energy and money when you aren’t around.

Use a power strip

A power strip with a timer can help you conserve energy by turning off devices when they are not in use. These power strips come equipped with a timer that can be set for different intervals of time.

You can set the timer for two hours, which will turn off the device after two hours of inactivity. This saves electricity and money as well as reduces your carbon footprint.

Please turn off your devices when you’re not using them

Turning your devices off when you’re not using them can help save energy, money, and the environment. Here are tips for how you can stop wasting energy:

Please turn off your computer or TV when you’re not using it.
Shut down your gadgets or set them to sleep mode when you’re done using them for the day.
Charge your phone in a well-ventilated place, on top of an open window sill or outside, so it doesn’t put extra strain on your AC.
Keep screensavers enabled so that they turn off after a few minutes of inactivity, saving battery life.

When not in use, turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS

It may seem like these functions are being utilized at all times, but they’re not. They might be turned on for a minute or two while you’re using them, but then they turn off.

Leaving them on is a big waste of energy! When your device’s Wi-Fi function is enabled, it’s constantly searching for a new Wi-Fi signal–even if you’re not connected to one. This constant searching can drain your battery life significantly over time.

If your Bluetooth function is enabled, it’s constantly looking for devices around you so you can connect wirelessly with them, even if you’re not trying to connect at that moment.

Unplug devices when you’re not using them

Unplugging devices, not in use is one of the easiest things you can do to help save energy. Plus, using less electricity is a great way to reduce your monthly bill.

Unplug your (TV) when you’re not using it.
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or higher when you’re home but lower when no one’s home.
Turn off computers, printers, and other peripherals when not in use.
Avoid leaving lights on all night; turn them off after the desired period.
Unplug chargers and devices that are not currently in use.
When leaving a room for longer than five minutes, turn off the lights.

Use a laptop instead of a desktop

A laptop is a great alternative to a desktop for most people. Laptops are more portable, so that you can take them anywhere. And if you travel for work or school, it’s easier to bring your laptop instead of lugging a bulky desktop.

Plus, laptops are less expensive than desktops, which makes sense because they’re smaller and their screens are smaller too.

People often need to realize that laptops use less electricity than desktops because they’re not running fans all the time as desktops do.

Get a tablet instead of a laptop

If you’re in the market for a new laptop, consider buying a tablet instead.

Tablets are perfect for those who don’t need a lot of heavy-duty computing power or need more space for a laptop. They can also be cheaper than laptops because they have less hardware inside them, which means they use less energy.

Plus, tablets are usually lighter and easier to carry around than laptops. They’re also easier on your wallet since you’ll spend less on software and accessories like printers or external hard drives that you might not even need with a tablet.

Use an LED monitor

The LED monitor will save you a lot of money, too. LED monitors are more energy efficient than the traditional CRT monitors that many people still use in their offices.

The LED monitor will save you money on your electric bill and save you money because it can last up to 50,000 hours of continuous use before needing a replacement.

You’ll be able to spend time working instead of worrying about replacing your monitor every couple of years.

Use an energy-efficient printer

Most people need to be made aware of the fact that they can use an energy-efficient printer. This can save you a lot of money in the long run and help save on energy usage.

The energy-efficient printers use less ink, which makes them very cost-effective.

You will also be pleased to know that these printers are very fast when printing your document, so there’s no need to worry about how long you’ll have to wait for your print job.

Sell your old set-top box and DVR and buy a smart TV

Do you have a set-top box or DVR in your home?

If so, it’s time to get rid of it. Smart TVs are now on the market and let you easily stream Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, and more through your television.

Plus, smart TVs don’t use as much energy as a set-top box or DVR does. As a bonus, you’ll be able to sell your old equipment on eBay for some extra money!

9 Ways to Keep Your Devices from Wasting Energy and Money

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