The Healthy Living Lounge

By Carole Fogarty

Monthly Feature: I Dare You To Do Something Different:

This month I daring myself and my wonderful children to make a difference to our beautiful planet and electricity bill by flicking off all power switches when not in use. Too easy.

Nommie’s366

If you feel inspired by The Healthy Living Lounges dare then please join in. This months dare, apart from being a no-brainer, is really intended, after the 30 days,to become a permanent holistic living habit for you and your family. You’d also be adding a good dose of kindness to our planet and in the process save yourself lots of dollars.

How much money will you save?
I’m particularly curious, apart from the environmental friendly benefits, as to how much money we will actually save as a family. Upon doing some research, reports varied, suggesting between 15% - 40% of power is still used when electrical appliances are in stand by mode (plugged in and left turned on at the wall).

We have over 10 items in our home which are plugged in, turned on but not in use. Not good enough. They include TV, DVD, game consoles, lamps, washing machine, computer, printer, speakers, kitchen bench appliances, CD player and fans. Add to the mix phone/ipod chargers which get forgotten about and it all adds up to whole lot of power being used unnecessarily.

Split the savings with your kids:
Since mid March, (yes I started a little earlier) my boys, now turn the TV and all things connected to it, off at the wall when not in use. I couldn’t believe how easy it was. I even gave them a little incentive suggesting whatever we saved off our next power bill we’d split the savings.

Some interesting facts:

1. Washing your clothes in cold water can save up to 90% compared to warm water

2. Compact flourscent lamps use up to 80% less energy

3. Did you know a 4 minute shower runs the same amount of energy as running a standard TV for 16 hours.

4. Clothes dryers use over 15 times more energy than a washing machine

5. Electric frying pans and pressure cookers are far more energy efficient than an oven. A pressure cooker saves approximately 25% energy compared to a standard oven.

6. An old inefficient fridge can use 3 times more power

For more information on energy usage please click here:

Let me know your feedback and savings:

I love getting feedback so please let me how easy or difficult it was to re-train the family or how much money you actually saved when your next electricity bill comes in.

My hidden agenda is to notice how different our homes feel with reduced electrical waves pulsing through them and to observe if emotions and behaviors have changed as a result.

Thanks for reading my article, Carole

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