Why it is important to disconnect electrical appliances when you are not at home

When leaving home for a long period of time, for example during holidays, it is best to disconnect all electronic devices and do not get “stuck” to the electric current.

Some will think that it is enough to leave them off because there is no danger whatsoever. So, why strive to get to the sockets to disconnect each and every appliance.

It is true that many prefer to simply suspend their computers, consoles and more, to save a few seconds when using them again, so turning them off before leaving for days may be enough.

If the issue of the environment is not enough because of skepticism or indifference, disconnecting them will help the receipt of light not increase meaninglessly.

Even if the appliances are turned off, they consume energy. The older the device, the more light it will consume, since it is likely that there were not enough ecological regulations in its time.

According to ESET, for an average worker in California, the approximate cost of energy during off-peak hours can be 28 cents per kWh, which translates into a potential cost of $4 per year, simply by leaving electronic devices plugged in.

Although it may seem like little money 4 US dollars a year for the convenience of not being disconnecting all things, if this is multiplied by the thousands of people who think the same thing in a city, the expense becomes significant.

If in addition, the cost of a small town, which would be a few thousand dollars is multiplied by the size of the state or country, the end result is brutal. But beyond the money that must be paid, simply for leaving appliances connected, is the carbon footprint.

While money is an important issue, the “real” cost is paid by the environment, which according to the cybersecurity company, energy consumption gives off about 15 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

In this regard, it is recommended that, although it may not mean a blow to the wallet, it is called upon each person to become aware and disconnect their devices.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also recommends disconnecting all electrical devices that are not in use. Besides not consuming energy, there's no way they can electrocute someone.

That is, taking a few minutes to disconnect devices before leaving home for a long period of time can make a significant change in the payment of the bill, but mainly for the world.

Gabriela Jiménez Casas of the UNAM Institute of Ecology, said that data transmission also generates pollution and that it is just as important. Just using one social network requires connection to several servers.

When server installations are so large, a cooling system is necessary so that they do not heat up and burn. In this way, they all generate a significant amount of CO2.

“It is not only what the equipment consumes as such, but also its maintenance,” said the ecologist in 2020 in a publication by UNAM.

To help reduce your carbon footprint, you can also turn off your cell phone during the night or when you don't expect an important call or message, as well as disconnect devices.

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