What's wasting energy in your home right now

comments from our community

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  Posted by chloe Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:12am PDT

  The only problem with turning off electronics' power strips is the need to re-program some of the electronics. For some televisions, DVD recorders, set-top boxes, etc., they revert to the original 'default' settings after about eight hours of being unpowered. Any custom information, such as added-on components, timers, etc. will need to be input again. That is time consuming and a real hassle.

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  Posted by Greg & Cheryl Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:45am PDT

  My plug-in battery powered portable vaccuum says it needs to be pluged in when not in use. : )

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  Posted by I love flowers Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:35am PDT

  Natural energy and light like the sun,are wonderful. UNLESS you have Lupus or other diseases of the immune system. Then the Sun that filters gently, through our curtains,or open windows,lying gently on the tips of our toes ,as they peak out from the blankets while one sleeps. OR, as we dare to be out for the shortest minute when the Sun is out,is deadly. And also the new energy saving twirly bulbs as I call them,are for a person with LUPUS,like being in the sun 24/7. No matter the teeniest amount of mercury,it is the worst possible scenario for man,woman or child with Lupus. My apartment building decided to go green. I for one was excited. I have spent the last 2 summers allergic to the sun.And,until the sun sets,I live within the walls of my apartment. Sun is my enemy. When the sun sets,I go riding on my scooter chair,exhilarated with the wonderful,sheer joy of freedom,my way lit by the moon and stars. Within a week of using the bulbs,I was bed ridden to the point of feeling I was surly close to death. And so I dragged myself from bed,and looked up my twirly energy saving bulbs on line. These are not safe for Lupus or immune disease ridden people. It is going to be a hard road,if all the companies discontinue making the normal bulb. What are we to do,who can not tolerate the energy twirly ones? Unless your body has been tormented with the unbelievable hells of Lupus etc.,you have NO CLUE. Please,be green,but ALSO REMEMBER the world is not made up of all healthy men,women and children.And people surely matter more then a light bulb. Thank you and God bless. Grama Linda

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  Posted by Tej Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:15pm PDT

  An empty fridge that is plugged in & turned on is a big energy waste as is over cooling or over heating a home to the point of uncomfortabilty. But if a person can afford to do it there is always a chance that living like that or above their means will catch up to them & catch them off guard, unfortunately for their fortunate self.

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  Posted by Sundestin Greg Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:21pm PDT

  All of you tree huggers aren't going to stop "global warming" You all bought into a left wing propoganda machine. Global warming is a natural cycle of the earth. What happened to "global cooling" when Carter was president? It's just the governments, of the world trying to control our lives. Unfortunately you are letting them do it. Wake Up America!!!!

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  Posted by sandra Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:54am PDT

  I usually unplug all my small appliances when not in use such as the coffee maker and mixer ans such one because i am trying to save money on the electric and two because my house attracts lightning and surge protector dont do much against direct strikes as my television will tell you last month so it is a good idea to protect your small apliances against these things i do agree unpluging t v and computers are a hassel in the repluging! sooo what would be the solution Thanks! Sundaye

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  Posted by allison Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:06am PDT

  I'm sorry but i aint no tree hygger adn i know that global warming has nothing to do with the "earth's cycling" it is from all the times we have broke through the ozone layer sending astronauts into space ruining the ozone that is supposed to protect us and it is from all the polutants that we put in to the land and water. we have become a "throw away" world where everything we use we just pitch it in the trash.

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  Posted by Aya Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:09am PDT

  Thanks for the article and info. I never knew they used that much energy when turned off.

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  Posted by Cedar Springs LandscapeL Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:11am PDT

  GREG- I feel sorry for you that you live with such negativity! I think this is a great idea. There is definitely alot of energy wasted!

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  Posted by William Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:12am PDT

  While I agree that tree-huggers are annoying and it is a big waste of time to be worrying about plastic grocery bags while India and China belch out enough emissions to choke everyone to death and have no plans to change, I unplug my appliances for one reason only - because what I want to conserve is my own hard-earned money. What the tree-huggers and liberals in general don't understand is that SELF-INTEREST is what motivates humans, not worrying about the next generation, worrying about the whales and seals, etc... Until all of this green stuff becomes economically advantageous (i.e. the gas you save on an electric car will pay for the extra cost of the car in some reasonable amount of time, which I agree is not too far in the future - see the Chevy Volt and the Tessla car), then only the tree-hugging knuckleheads will continue to inconvenience themselves and others while China emits trillions of pounds of toxins into the air every second.

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  Posted by beth g Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:13am PDT

  I'm all for saving energy when I can...but, I may be spoiled, I like my coffee ready when I get up in the morning. I'm not going to reprogram it everyday! The same goes for my TV, DVD and DVR. Sorry!

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  Posted by Andrew Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:14am PDT

  I like trees

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  Posted by Regina Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:14am PDT

  i have a Bunn coffeemaker that makes coffee in 3minutes...but it has to stay plugged in so the water stays hot...otherwise you have to wait about 10 min/longer for the water to heat up inside each time you use it.....defeats the purpose of the coffeemaker. might as well get a mr coffee.

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  Posted by Cedar Springs LandscapeL Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:14am PDT

  STEPHEN- I agree with you about Greg although it sounds like someone else is harboring some pretty lame thoughts as well. I guess to you a black man isnt equal to you? CRAZY! Thats about as ill-informed as you can get?!

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  Posted by kcapra@pacbell.net Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:15am PDT

  Turn down your spa to 78 degrees or below when not in use. I procrastinate that I am going to use it but don't. So now, when I anticipate that I am going to use it I go out there several hours before and turn it up. It takes some forethought but the savings monthly are worth it.

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