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Some electronics still draw power when off: plug them into power strips to turn them off completely when not in use

12/23/2022

A variety of electronics and small household appliances continue to use electricity even when they are turned off. Collectively, these “energy vampires” add to your electric bill. The Department of Energy suggests that “an appliance constantly taking in 1 watt of electrical current is equivalent to 9kWh per year, adding up to $1 in annual costs (basically $1/watt/annual). Considering how many appliances are used in an average household, costs can quickly add up to $100-200 a year.”*

Unplugging electronics when they are not in use reduces this drain. To make the off-switch more convenient, plug electronics into power strips that are easily turned off as needed. Place a power strip by your entertainment center to plug in TVs, DVD players, and game consoles. In the bathroom, use a power strip for electric razors, curling irons, and hair dryers. The drain from kitchen appliances can be reduced by plugging toasters and toaster ovens, coffee makers and grinders, microwave ovens, and kitchen TVs into a power strip and turning it off when not in use.

*Scott Minos. October 31, 2022. “How to Stop Energy Vampires from Attacking Your Home.” https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/how-stop-energy-vampires-attacking-your-home

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Recycle electronics to save resources and keep toxins out of the waste stream

12/16/2022

Recycling old electronics allows for reuse of their component parts for new devices. Reusing these materials reduces the metals and toxins that would otherwise end up in the waste stream and reduces the energy input for manufacturing new plastic and glass. Citing a 2006, U.S. Geological Survey publication, the EPA reports that:

Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by more than 3,500 U.S. homes in a year.
For every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.*

If your unwanted electronic device is still functional, consider donating it so it can be reused. Computers may be given new life with a hardware upgrade instead of complete replacement. Best Buy accepts many electronic devices for recycling and offers gift cards to trade-in qualifying devices. Retriever.com will pick up electronics from your doorstep for recycling. Keep an eye out for periodic recycling events in the area. E Force Recycling posts a list of their events on their web page. Check out the aFewSteps Recycling page and search our recycling list for how to handle specific items.

*”Electronics Donation and Recycling.” Last updated on August 23, 2022. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling

Save time and resources by wrapping gifts in reusable cloth bags

12/9/2022

Making your own reusable cloth gift bags is super easy. With a sewing machine and fabric scraps or ends bought on-sale at a fabric store gives you all the material you need to have a fun variety of patterns and sizes for your bags. Once the bags are made, wrapping takes mere seconds: simply drop the gift into the bag and tie with a ribbon. This eliminates all expense and waste from paper and tape. You can even make the bag part of the gift!

To make your own cloth bag, cut two pieces of fabric ½ larger all around than the desired final size. Hem the top edge of both pieces. Line up the two pieces of fabric with right sides facing each other. Sew around the three unhemmed edges and turn right-side out. To include a tie, cut another piece of fabric or a strip of ribbon about 2 feet long. Before sewing the sides of the bag, fold the tie in half and place the folded edge between the two halves of the bag along one edge and about 1 inch down from the hemmed edge. Sew the three sides of the bag as before.

Wrapping gifts in attractive, reusable pieces of cloth, known as furoshiki, is a centuries-old tradition in Japan. Furoshiki are versatile, because they can be used to wrap gifts of varying shapes and sizes. Bandanas, scarves or cloth napkins can serve as ready-made furoshiki, but you can also make your own wrapping cloths out of your favorite fabrics – even larger scraps. Learn more about this technique here.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Insulate your electric water heater tank to save on home energy costs

12/2/2022

Water heaters, particularly older, electric heaters, lose heat to the surrounding air. Installing an insulating jacket around the heater is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce heat loss, saving energy and money. You can confirm if insulation would be beneficial by checking to see if your heater is warm to the touch. According to Energy.gov, “water heater insulation could reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save you about 7%–16% in water heating costs—and should pay for itself in about a year. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available from around $20.”* PECO estimates that you can save up to $35 per year. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy offers step by step instructions for installation on their web page.

*”Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Insulate Water Heater Tank.” Retrieved November 27, 2022. Energy.gov
Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Some electronics still draw power when off: plug them into power strips to turn them off completely when not in use

Recycle electronics to save resources and keep toxins out of the waste stream

Save time and resources by wrapping gifts in reusable cloth bags

Insulate your electric water heater tank to save on home energy costs

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