Father Knows Best

When I'm back visiting my family and want to, say, watch TV or be the first to get online that day, I have to turn on a couple of power strips. When I'm done, my dad makes me turn them off, or I'd hear him grousing about it the next day. I thought it was going overboard and was a bit dismissive of the power strip thing, since it's such a hassle and it couldn't possibly make that much of a difference. But guess what? He's right.

I came across this LA Times article last week about "vampire" energy use--that is, energy that is being used up when the appliance isn't actively being used. I've always been good about turning off lights that are not in use, or not leaving on the TV when it's not being used, but I haven't been so good about taking chargers out of the power strip when I'm done with it. I'm definitely paying attention to it now.

As for the TV, maybe it's time for me to get a power strip and do what good ol' Dad does.