Cleco tip: Unplug devices when you can

The Cleco Watt Matters energy-savings campaign continues with a third focus area: Unplug It!

To increase energy savings, Cleco customers are encouraged to Unplug It! when it comes to idle electronics, appliances and other miscellaneous devices consuming electricity around-the-clock, even when they are not being used.

Unplug It! is the third focus area of Cleco’s energy-savings campaign, Watt Matters, a five-part series on residential programs and individual actions customers can take to use less energy and lower their monthly bills. It follows the second focus area,

Turn It Off!, which encouraged customers to turn off lights and appliances when not in use, and the first focus area, Replace It!, which urged customers to replace outdated appliances and devices with energy efficient alternatives.

Each focus area is promoted in three-week increments.

Electric power consumed this way is known as “standby power,” and it accounts for 5 to 10% of residential energy use, costing the average American household up to $100 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

“The most unassuming household items are the ones that drain our energy supply and increaseour bills,” said Andre Guillory, vice president and chief customer officer. “Cleco’s team of energy efficiency experts and customer experience representatives are excited to share more little-known details like this from our Watt Matters energy-saving campaign, as well as the benefits available through our Power Wise energy efficiency and Budget Billing programs.”

Energy saving tips:

--Make an inventory of all electrical appliances and devices in each room of your living space.

Then, unplug all equipment that is not used regularly. This strategy will help you reduce your standby power energy usage and save money.

--Use energy-saving devices such as advanced power strips and smart sockets to shut off energy to devices that are not in use. Visit www.cleco.com/wattmatters for more suggestions.

You can take Cleco’s quick online home energy audit to see where you can cut energy waste, www.cleco.com/homeenergyaudit.