17 Appliances You Should Always Turn Off When Not in Use

Written By Jill Taylor

With the development of technology, homes are now filled with all kinds of appliances. They tend to make our day-to-day lives much easier, but they still have their downsides. Here are 17 home appliances that should never stay on when you are not using them.

TV

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Televisions are used by most households these days. When not in use, it’s best to unplug them, as it can significantly reduce the chances of an electrical fire and also save on energy costs. Make sure to unplug every TV in the house to fully benefit from energy savings.

Microwave

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Wattson Home Solutions reports, “Microwaves use very little power when they’re turned off, but they are a continuous power flow, also known as phantom power.” Although they are really useful, they can increase energy bills, so it’s important to unplug them when not in use.

Coffee Maker

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The coffee maker is probably one of the first appliances most people use every morning,  providing you with the perfect source of energy needed to start the day. However, leaving them on can be dangerous. They tend to overheat easily, so it’s important to turn them off to avoid this.

Toaster

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Toasters are a great household appliance to make a quick and easy breakfast. It’s important that you unplug it once you’ve finished using it to reduce electrical hazards. You can even purchase toasters that have shut-off functions to ensure you don’t burn your toast or use up too much energy.

Hair Dryer

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It’s very important to unplug your hairdryer after every use to prevent any fire hazards. Hairdryers have been known to malfunction, so for your own safety, it’s important you remember to do this. It’ll also reduce costly energy waste, and you can even put it on a lower heat setting to reduce energy waste when in use.

Blender

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According to Unitil, “small kitchen appliances (think: electric can openers, coffee makers, blenders, etc.) are easy to unplug when not in use, and it’s a good habit to get into.” Blenders can be one of the most dangerous household appliances when not used correctly. It’s important to turn it off after every use to prevent any accidents from happening.

Iron

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After every use, it’s very important that you turn off and unplug your iron and then put it in a safe place when cooling down. This will prevent anyone from accidentally burning themselves. It will also prevent any accidental fires from the iron falling over.

Electric Kettle

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Like most home appliances, kettles can be costly, depending on the amount of energy they use, so it’s important to turn them off when not in use. Not only will this reduce energy consumption, but it will also prevent any potential accidents.

Electric Toothbrush Charger

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Your oral health is very important, but it can come at a cost. Charging your electrical toothbrush will increase your energy bills, especially when it’s left charging overnight. You can look to invest in toothbrushes that tell you when they’re fully charged to reduce energy waste.

Electric Blanket

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Electric blankets can be great for a cold winter night. However, they can be known to cause issues such as fires. For example, Early Bird reports, “Turning off your electric blanket when you’re not using it can help prevent overheating. Always unplug your electric blanket before leaving it unattended and avoid folding or ruffling it during use.”

Shaver Charger

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Leaving your shaver charger plugged in or excessively charging your shaver can cause your energy costs to mount up. To avoid this, it’s important to unplug your shaver when it’s not being used. Also, you can choose a shaver that has a longer battery life to minimize the amount of time it’s on charge.

Food Processor

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Your first thought once you’ve finished with your food processor should be to turn it off. This will immediately prevent any unnecessary energy waste. It will also stop any chance of accidents occurring. To reduce energy consumption further, you should consider buying a food processor that is more eco-friendly.

Slow Cooker

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Slow cookers are a great home appliance when you don’t have the time to cook your food using more traditional methods. But they can use a lot of energy, so it’s important to turn them off when not in use. This will also prevent them from overheating.

Electric Fans

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If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, then electric fans are the next best thing. They can use up energy, especially if they’re left on for long periods of time; therefore, when not in use, it’s important to unplug them. This will also help reduce any wear and tear on the fan.

Vacuum Cleaner

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After using your vacuum cleaner, you must unplug it. My House Cleaning Biz advises, “Never unplug the vacuum by yanking on the cord. Always grasp the plug and pull it out carefully.” Also, ensure you keep your vacuum in good condition so the suction is working to its fullest, limiting energy waste.

Electric Griddle

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While being a quick and effective way to cook your meat, it can use lots of energy to run. This is why it’s really important to unplug when not in use. This will also stop the griddle from overheating and reduce the chances of any electrical fires at the same time.

Humidifier

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Having a humidifier in your house can be a handy appliance, but it can also cause problems if not used correctly. It must be turned off properly and unplugged to avoid any issues. This will help reduce energy consumption but, more importantly, stop the growth of mold.

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