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Should I be unplugging unused devices and electronics?

Should I be unplugging unused devices and electronics?

Should I be unplugging unused devices and electronics?

All things plugged in will bleed some energy. Called “standby” electricity loss because it’s so often associated with electronics in standby or idle mode, it’s also known as “phantom” energy. Even turned off, many appliances keep drawing power.

Power supplies don’t just convert energy; they consume it. Anything with a transformer draws power as long as it’s plugged in. And because of poor design, these boxes waste up to three-fourths of the electricity that passes through them. Unplug 10 of those black box transformers and you save, depending on how much you pay for electricity, $20 a year.

Add up the energy used when we are not using our TVs, stereos, cable boxes (the list goes on and on), and you get the equivalent of a year’s output of 17 power plants. Investing in powerstrips can be extremely beneficial. Not only can you plug in multiple devices at once, but you can turn them all off conveniently and easily too.


Sustainability Spotlight: Bellingham Public Schools Tackles Sustainability

Sustainability Spotlight: Bellingham Public Schools Tackles Sustainability

School districts have a compelling reason to reach for sustainability in their operations and curriculum. The energy their buildings and buses use, the food they serve, the water they consume, and the waste they generate puts schools at the fulcrum of what sustainability entails – reducing their environmental footprint and conserving resources. Additionally, their job…

Climate Change Impacts Seaports

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The win-win in agrivoltaics

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Sustainability Spotlight: Tony’s Coffee

Sustainability Spotlight: Tony’s Coffee

How did sustainability start for Tony’s? Our sustainability journey can be traced back to 2002, when we began sourcing Organic, Fair Trade, Shade Grown coffee. Since then, we moved to 100% green power, doubled our roasting efficiency, offset our roastery’s carbon footprint, and continue to support causes that we care about. Our commitment to sourcing…

Sustainability Spotlight: Aslan Brewing Company

Sustainability Spotlight: Aslan Brewing Company

Aslan Brewing Company, a member of Sustainable Connections, is based in Bellingham, WA and was founded in 2012. From the beginning, every decision the Aslan founders made was through the lens of sustainability. When Aslan opened its brewpub doors in May of 2014, team members focused on crafting world-class beer with local ingredients and low-impact…

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