As the weather changes, many of you are beginning to plan your next getaway. Between determining your destination, calculating costs, and planning logistics, you may forget about what needs to be done at home. Here are two simple steps you can take to reduce your home’s energy use while you’re away:
Unplug Everything
If an appliance is powered by electricity, unplug it. Phantom energy is the energy drawn from an outlet when an appliance is turned off and still plugged in. The average cell phone charger consumes 0.26 watts of energy when plugged into an outlet and not in use. A digital cable box consumes 17.83 watts of energy. Because the typical U.S. household owns around 25 different forms of electronics, the energy used can really add up.
Is Your Destination Far Away? Consider Flying.
A 2014 study done by research professor Michael Sivak at the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute argues that within the United States, if you’re traveling a long distance and are not engaging in carpooling, flying may be the better option. However, Yale Climate Connections states that there isn’t a huge difference concerning pounds of carbon dioxide produced per gallon of fuel when flying or driving. If you’re truly curious about whether or not flying or driving is the best option for you, utilize the calculating tools found at CoolCalifornia or Nature Conservatory.
Written by Darya Nicol, class of 2016
Feature image courtesy of xlibber