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Is there any point?

(169 Posts)
kircubbin2000 Thu 01-Sept-22 16:43:01

We are advised to switch off things on standby like the tv. I have never done this and wonder will we really save money by so doing. I leave hairdryer, toaster tv and microwave on and have 2 chargers plugged in but not connected to phones.
Do things actually need to be turned off at the switch or unplugged?
Perhaps I'll give it a go but can anyone tell me how much I am wasting?

Blinko Mon 05-Sept-22 08:39:36

Re washing and tumble drying, if you really can't dry outside, a friend told me this tip: put the wash on in the evening, bung everything on airers overnight and anything not dry by morning goes in the tumble dryer.

Me, I dry everything outdoors whenever possible then when rainy, cold and 'orrible, I resort to Plan B as above.

Shinamae Mon 05-Sept-22 09:09:18

Although I am careful I use what I use. I am not going to have any devices telling me how much it will cost if such and such is plugged in or unplugged (even if they are correct and different people seem to say different things so not at all reliable )and I can assure you I will not be sitting in candlelight freezing to death this winter…

DaisyAnne Mon 05-Sept-22 09:39:31

I don't think you will have any choice Shinamae, if it ends up being rationed.

icanhandthemback Mon 05-Sept-22 09:58:53

4allweknow

Has anyone information on how much wear and tear is caused on electric sockets by removing/inserting plugs everyday. I know quite a number of years ago an electrician told me the action causes a lot of wear.

We don't have to unplug, we just have to flick the switch on the plug or fit remote controlled switches. Very little wear and tear needed.

Shinamae Mon 05-Sept-22 10:00:39

DaisyAnne

I don't think you will have any choice Shinamae, if it ends up being rationed.

If things get THAT bad l have a plan…

Chestnut Mon 05-Sept-22 10:15:08

Blinko

Re washing and tumble drying, if you really can't dry outside, a friend told me this tip: put the wash on in the evening, bung everything on airers overnight and anything not dry by morning goes in the tumble dryer.

Me, I dry everything outdoors whenever possible then when rainy, cold and 'orrible, I resort to Plan B as above.

There are also heated airers of various sizes where the clothes are inside a sort of tent. I've no idea how much energy they use but it can't be as much as a tumble dryer. Anyone got one of these?

DaisyAnne Mon 05-Sept-22 11:16:41

Shinamae

DaisyAnne

I don't think you will have any choice Shinamae, if it ends up being rationed.

If things get THAT bad l have a plan…

smile Are you going to share?

Shinamae Mon 05-Sept-22 11:21:20

DaisyAnne

Shinamae

DaisyAnne

I don't think you will have any choice Shinamae, if it ends up being rationed.

If things get THAT bad l have a plan…

smile Are you going to share?

I don’t think you’d want to know..

welbeck Mon 05-Sept-22 12:19:03

i don't think you need to actually remove the plug from the socket, just to put the switch in the off position.
so glad our uk sockets have switches. higher safety standards.

welbeck Mon 05-Sept-22 12:23:29

when i buy an extension, i pay more to get ones with individual switches for each outlet, plus and indicator light to shew if it's switched on.
i find this helpful to distinguish which ones i am actually switching on or off, as it involves bending down, reaching, and i don't want to switch something off that needs to stay on.
i am never quite sure about some light switches, i don't trust myself to recognise what the position of the switch means, esp as i have a timer, so i set it to come on later.

welbeck Mon 05-Sept-22 12:25:20

i mean having individual indicator lights for each outlet on an extension set, not just one to show the extension set is connected, which i have also seen.

icanhandthemback Mon 05-Sept-22 12:26:13

My very thrifty, biological father (avoided maintenance and any expense he could get away with) used a dehumidifier in a wardrobe in the shed if he absolutely had to dry the clothes. He also switched off the shower whilst washing hair/body and used a window squeegee to take as much water off his body before using his towel in order to save washing them so much.

Treetops05 Mon 05-Sept-22 13:48:18

Buy a usage plug. You plug it in the plug in say a microwave and after 24 hrs it'll tell you what it costs to have plugged in/used over 24hrs and for 7 days. Ours was costing 3.50 a week, being used only 2-3 times...we now unplug it and many other electrical goods. I paid about £10-12 for it, but saved us way more long term. I then lent it to my FinL and daughter...

NotAGran55 Mon 05-Sept-22 14:43:30

Treetops05

Buy a usage plug. You plug it in the plug in say a microwave and after 24 hrs it'll tell you what it costs to have plugged in/used over 24hrs and for 7 days. Ours was costing 3.50 a week, being used only 2-3 times...we now unplug it and many other electrical goods. I paid about £10-12 for it, but saved us way more long term. I then lent it to my FinL and daughter...

This is what I recommended right at the start of the thread, and reported back with my standby findings for my microwave oven.

maxlakonsky Mon 05-Sept-22 17:16:40

The answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem. In some cases, it is best to turn off an appliance at the switch or unplug it when you are finished using it. For example, if you are not going to be using a particular appliance for an extended period of time, it is best to unplug it. This will help to prevent any potential fires that could occur if the appliance were to malfunction. However, in other cases, leaving an appliance plugged in can actually be beneficial. For instance, many experts recommend leaving your refrigerator plugged in even when you are on vacation. This helps to keep the fridge cold and prevents any food spoilage that could occur if the power were to go out. Ultimately, whether or not you should turn off an appliance at the switch or unplug it depends on the specific circumstances.

Callistemon21 Mon 05-Sept-22 18:00:38

However, in other cases, leaving an appliance plugged in can actually be beneficial. For instance, many experts recommend leaving your refrigerator plugged in even when you are on vacation. This helps to keep the fridge cold and prevents any food spoilage that could occur if the power were to go out.

Am I missing something?
How can a fridge stay cold and keep the food from spoiling if it is not left plugged in?

Callistemon21 Mon 05-Sept-22 18:02:04

It's best to empty the fridge and leave the door open if you intend to be away for more than a few days.

Silverlady333 Tue 06-Sept-22 09:57:36

blog.loop.homes/the-cost-of-leaving-appliances-in-standby-mode

Just found this!