DEAR READERS: How many electronic devices do you think are in your home? How many of them are you not using, but they might still be pulling power? Take a little stroll around your place and count. I just walked through our kitchen, den and recreation room and counted 10. The average household has 25 electronic devices that use electricity.
All of these can be adding to your energy bill. Even if you aren't using them, if they are plugged in, they can potentially use energy. If it has an LCD or LED display, meaning the numbers light up, it's pulling power. Here are hints to make these "energy vampires" less powerful:
• Unplug devices you are not using or you don't use daily. For example: an old stereo or TV in a guest room.
• Use sleep modes on electronics that have them. The device will "sleep" or power down, and will use less electricity.
• Use power strips to control multiple appliances with one off/on switch. Think kitchen: coffee maker and toaster oven or toaster.
• When shopping for new electronics, look for the ENERGY STAR designation. These are the most efficient and use less energy, so you are saving money while you sleep!
DEAR HELOISE: We live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, we have rain, and we do not wear shoes in the house. For guests, I keep a basket of cute little pairs of ankle socks (tied with a bow) available in the entry. Our guests pick out a pair, and the socks are theirs to keep. The silly sock prints create a fun conversation, as everyone wants to see what the others are wearing.
-- Mary A.,
Vancouver, Wash.
DEAR HELOISE: In our neighborhood, people often leave perfectly good items by the street to be picked up by the trash collector or others who may want them.
A couple of days ago, I noticed a small pink tricycle that was just right for my great-granddaughter. It was there the next day. I noticed several other toys in the driveway that appeared to be for the same age group. Possibly a 2-year-old had left her tricycle near the street. I suggest parents teach their toddlers that they could lose their toys if left near the street.
-- Doug J.,
Denham Springs, La.
DEAR HELOISE: Another use I might suggest to conserve water is to store the gallons of water collected after cleaning the refrigerator filter. Put the water into clean gallon milk jugs and use it in a room humidifier.
-- Bruce M.,
San Angelo, Texas
DEAR HELOISE: I use some over-the-counter medicines. Most have childproof caps with arrows you line up. I use a permanent marker on the arrows so it's easy to get the bottles open regardless of light or glasses.
-- Steve J. in Alabama
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Style on 01/27/2015