This gesture that only takes a few seconds will allow you to go on vacation even more serene. Why deprive yourself of it?
That’s it, it’s finally the holidays. The suitcase is completed, the sunglasses are ready and the mood is relaxing. We close the door behind you with a little smile thinking that everything is ready, but not quite! Before leaving, we think of watering the plants, warning the neighbors, emptying the trash. We turn off the lights, we lower the shutters. But an often forgotten detail can continue to run the counter throughout your absence. And on your return, the electricity bill, it will not have taken off.
This gesture that everyone should do is nothing complicated, it only takes a few minutes and yet, it can make a real difference. It is even the kind of thing that we forget and that we regret once we have already left. Do you want to avoid paying for nothing? It is simply enough to disconnect everything in the house, because when it leaves several days, even several weeks, the house continues to consume. And no, turning off is not enough, you have to disconnect well. A TV on standby, an oven that displays the time, an internet box that flashes, a charger that has remained in the socket … All these devices continue to consume, even extinct. This hidden consumption, which is called “ghost energy”, can represent up to 10 % of your annual bill.
So before leaving, take a little tour in each room. Disconnect multipleisms, boxes, game consoles, toaster, coffee maker, phone chargers, lamps. Even speakers or electric clocks. One forgetting? It also matters. The best is to have multiple multiples. A click, and everything is cut at once. If you go for a long time, also think of the fridge and the freezer. If you can empty them, unplug them, clean them and leave the door ajar to avoid odors. Otherwise, check that they are well adjusted in eco mode, without overloading.
Disconnecting is not just a matter of economy. It is also a safety measure. Some devices can heat up unnecessarily if they remain connected for too long, especially the chargers or internet boxes. In the event of overvoltage or defective equipment, there is also a small risk of short circuit, even fire. Disconnecting everything that is not essential is to avoid unpleasant surprises during your absence.
