I’m sitting at my desk in a heatwave; the curtains are drawn, the windows and doors are shut, and a fan whirrs in the background. I have a cool drink by my side to keep me hydrated, but I’m still struggling in the intense heat.
I know I’m not alone in my attempts to keep cool as I battle against the high temperatures. And despite practicing the Caveman Method (yes, it works), I’ve run out of other options, or so I thought.
There’s one way I can reduce the heat in my home that won’t cost me a dime; in fact, it will save me money, and it’s all to do with unplugging ‘phantom heaters’.
Why 'phantom heaters' should be unplugged in a heatwave
Many of our household electronics produce what’s known as ‘phantom energy’ just by being plugged in. Even when they’re switched off or idle, this standby power continuously converts into ambient heat.
During a heatwave, every fraction of extra warmth makes it harder to cool your home. But by unplugging these heat-generating appliances, you can give your AC a break and drop the indoor temperature.
1. Gaming consoles
Not many homes go without a gaming console, and as a mom of two grown adults, I've experienced firsthand the amount of heat they emit. PlayStation, Nintendo and XBox consoles will all up the temperature inside.
Even in standby mode, these heat monsters create a lot of energy. So rather than keeping them plugged it, the advice in a heatwave is to unplug them all.
2. Kitchen appliances
I won’t be reaching behind my washing machine to unplug it after each cycle, and my refrigerator will stay on all year, but there are some kitchen appliances that can be unplugged to reduce ambient heat.
Countertop appliances, such as air fryers, coffee machines, kettles and toasters, can all be unplugged after each use. And unlike larger appliances, such as freezers, they rarely have built-in surge protection, leaving them at risk if the heatwave triggers power fluctuations.
3. Hair stylers
Electric hair tools, such as hair straighteners and curling tongs, work at extreme temperatures. And even in normal environments, these tools are fire hazards. But during a heatwave, they take longer to cool down and the ambient heat has nowhere to dissipate.
Whether or not you’re experiencing a heatwave, unplugging them ensures they aren’t left on accidentally, reducing the risk of fire or burning out the internal components. And, even when left plugged in, but ‘off’, they still draw a small amount of energy.
4. Computers and office equipment
There’s one group of appliances that I know produce a lot of ambient heat. My laptop, extra monitor and printer are permanently switched on in my home office. And when not in use, my laptop is being charged.
Whether you favor a laptop or a tower computer, both have internal fans that blow heat into your room to cool the processor. It’s not such an issue with laptops, but with tower computers, there needs to be adequate ventilation around the unit to allow the heat to escape.
So, at the end of your working day, or when you’ve finished using your equipment, unplug all of these devices. You’ll notice the environment becomes less stuffy, and you’ll save energy too.
Chargers
In my haste to get out of my house, I swipe my phone from the charging cable, leaving the plug in the socket, only to discover when I return that the transformer still remains warm. While I’ve been away, the tiny transformer has been converting electrical energy into heat.
The exact same issue occurs with a whole host of chargers throughout my home — toothbrushes, cordless vacuums, laptops and even my portable Dyson Mini HushJet fan. And although one idling charger won’t make a huge impact, when we’re trying to cool down in a heatwave, every marginal gain helps.
