These days, people may be looking for creative ways to keep their electricity bills down, and conventional wisdom might lead you to unplug your devices when you’re not using them so they don’t draw power.
Some people might take this to the extreme and unplug appliances like the refrigerator, oven, etc. But does this really help save money?
One TikTok user said her family will soon find out because her mother removed the refrigerator from the kitchen to cut down on electricity and food bills.
Desperate Measures
Text overlaid on the video posted to TikTok by user @mrburgies details the reasons for the mother’s choice.
“My mother’s extreme stinginess has worsened…she is now trying to sell her refrigerator. [she] “She said we use too much electricity and spend too much on food,” the text overlay reads. “And she moved it all herself! (Now our house is flooding).”
The Daily Dot reached out to @mrburgies via email regarding the video.
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Does that work?
While the idea may be on the right track, refrigerators are generally not the kind of appliances that consumers looking to cut energy costs want to unplug. It can be run for around $20 per month.That’s about $235 per year, so the savings from skipping one are probably minimal.
According to Unitil.com,device Some things you might want to unplug are small kitchen appliances — this includes toasters, blenders, air fryers, and coffee makers — as well as your TV, cable box, electronic chargers, and home office equipment like printers.
Viewers were quick to point this out in the comments section, pointing out that the mum’s action of unplugging the fridge may not have the desired effect.
“The worst part is the fridge barely uses any electricity each month lol,” one commenter wrote.
“Refrigerators are one of the most efficient appliances in the home and, like water heaters, act as giant batteries,” another agreed.
“When I look at my monthly electric bill, I can see how much I spend on each outlet,” one user said. “My fridge costs about $12 a month.”
Others said their families had taken similar measures with regard to items in their homes, such as large appliances and furniture, during the difficult times.
“Once, my mom sold all the furniture in our downstairs house so we had to sit on the stairs to eat,” one commenter wrote.
“My mother put the house up for sale while we were students, then she sold it and came back and gave or sold all our belongings,” another said.
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