January: Need a New Year's Resolution? Remember to Uplug!

Have you made your New Year’s Resolution yet?

This year we are challenging all Kids in the Biosphere to reduce their electricity usage!

Lots of us do the easy ones: turn off lights when you leave a room, and keep windows closed when the heat or air conditioning is on.

But what are some of the other ways we can reduce our electricity use?

One of the most effective ways to reduce electricity consumption is by eliminating phantom load that our electronics and appliances use. What is a phantom load?

Phantom load refers to the electricity our electronics (examples: TVs, computers, laptops, gaming stations) and appliances (examples: toaster, microwave, lamps) use when they are idle or turned off. Even though they may be off or not active, they are still drawing on electricity!

While the amount of electricity being consumed is less than when they are on, phantom load can account for as much as 10% of the monthly electricity use in your house!

Rather than just turning off your electronics, unplug them too! Here are some examples of how you can reduce your house’s phantom load:

1. Unplug your phone or laptop charger when it is not being used
2. Unplug your T.V. when you are done watching it
3. Unplug your toaster or microwave when you are not using them to make food

These are a few of many ways that you can help conserve energy in your home. Can you think of more ways?