Overview
- During extreme heat, technicians and national outlets advise unplugging unused devices to lighten household circuits, reduce overheating or short‑circuit risks, and trim bills, with some equipment reported to account for up to 15% of monthly use just by staying plugged in.
- The microwave is singled out because its clock and controls keep drawing power while off, with guidance to unplug it when not used daily or to place it on a smart switch.
- Los Andes cites estimates of roughly 40–60 kWh per year for a microwave’s standby draw, while INTI reports that modern TVs consume about 3–12 W in standby.
- Safety specialists warn that toasters can ignite accumulated crumbs, recommending disconnecting after each use and regular cleaning; typical units draw around 1,000 W for a short cycle.
- Other noted drains include chargers at about 0.1–0.5 W and printers around 3–8 W in standby, and Los Andes reports that electric water heaters use 2,000–3,000 W with claims that switching them off when unnecessary can cut monthly consumption by up to 30%, depending on the installation.