SB: power load and review

[FIRST STRAWBOSS <strawboss94@juno.com>]

>Of course be
conservative about your loads, like avoid running arrays of halogen
lights. <g> 
And those extension cords with the little built in pilot light are
constantly
sipping at the batteries. >

We aren't off grid but I've  had a real eye opening experience.  One
night I turned off the lights in the basement where my computer was and
looked around.  There were 9, get that NINE little lights on.  Computer,
monitor, speaker, power strip, printer, VCR, old monitor for VCR both on
their own power strip w/light, and a spike supressor. 
Talk about phanthom load!!!
 Got me to thinking about just what else  was sucking watts down there...
freezer, grandmothers old electric clock, fax machine .
Old radio was off, printing calculator was off,  (hold your fire-I use
use a solar calc unless I need to print!) all power tools were unplugged
except table saw, all floresent lights off.  Does electric garage door
opener suck watts any other time than when called on to open or close?  I
know TVs, VCRs and stereos which are preprogrammed do draw watts even
when off.  I have none of those and son who does will soon finish college
and move on.  We use motion lights for outside and even the constantly
lighted doorbell bothers me.  
I guess we all need to stop sometimes and review what we are actually
costing mother earth and our pocket books. Gas kitchen stove is digital,
coffee pot has timer.  Bedside clock/radio/phone sucks watts. Answering
machine, aquarium pump, well pump, you get my drift.
Sometimes we just need to STOP and REVIEW to make sure we are doing the
best we can in our situation.  That is one thing this list is so good
at...  Making each of us think and rethink things. Just being unaware can
co$t us all.

strawboss



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