Are you supposed to unplug electronics?

[Kat Hillard]

I've seen a lot of "green" ads on TV that have encouraged people to "unplug unused electronics." Well, I'm not sure what exactly they mean by "unused."

Are they saying you should unplug electronics after you turn them off, or just electronics that you don't plan on using for a LONG time?

I mean, are you SUPPOSED to unplug your computers, televisions, game consoles, etc. when they're turned off, or are they supposed to stay plugged in for the most part?

When I turn off an electronic, I keep it plugged into the surge protector, and keep the protector on and plugged into the wall. Is this correct?

What about people who claim that they turn their computers off by hitting the switch on their surge protectors? Isn't doing that all the time extremely bad to the PSU of the computer? I mean, isn't it a bad thing to constantly plug/unplug any electronic, especially televisions and computers?

And doing that would mean you would consistently need to reset the clock and other settings.

On the other hand, what about when a lightning storm knocks the power out? Or when unexpected or repeated breaks in power (like when the electronicity keeps coming on and off due to whatever reason) occur? Wouldn't that be the equivalent of pulling the power cord into and out from the wall outlet over and over again?

I guess what I'm really wondering is ... do most people actually keep their TVs, computers, and other major electronics plugged in when they're off?

 

[alex c]

well if i have something plugged into a surge protector i turn it off, it makes a difference because your electronics still use power even though its turned off. Its not a bad thing there just telling you to save power and its not bad for the electronics such as coffee makers, stereos, game consoles...some that you can leave plugged in are alarm clocks and lamps and other things that you use everyday, I personally don't like unplugging tv's because its a hassle setting them up again.

 

[adshaw32]

I have been told that my whole life by my father "unplug it if your not using it!"

I think that it's bad for things such as televisions and computers to unplug them all of the time. I only do that when there is a bad thunder storm or a power outage. You don't want a huge surge of power coming in and "blowing up" your expensive electronics. Things like the coffee pot, my hair straightener, and cell phone charger I unplug when they are not in use though.

Anything that is plugged into the wall is constantly using some energy, even if not in the "on" position. So small things I am sure can decrease your bills to some extent, and lessen the carbon foot print we are leaving in the world by using this energy.