If my toaster is plugged in...?

Question

...and switched on the wall, but is like, doing nothing - is it using electricity? the same with a kettle?

thanks :)

Answer 1

yupppp

Answer 2

if its heating up, i.e. coils glowing, then yes you are using energy. if they are not then no.

Answer 3

No, it only uses power when switched on.

Answer 4

Absolutely they do, especially the transformers that feed all of our modern electronics. Our electronics use DC (direct current) to work, but it comes into our house as AC (Alternating Current). This electricity must pass through a transformer that converts it. That's what those little bricks are and sometimes you can't even see them because they are built into some devices. (like the XBOX and things like that)

Rule of thumb is that any electronic device in your house is run off DC and therefore has a transformer. Anytime you convert from one thing to another, there is inherent inefficiency in it. You can feel it. Pick up a transformer that is powering a device and feel the heat. That is tangible, wasted energy that you can realize through your sense of temperature.

Devices consume power, even when turned off just not as much! I found this blog post linked in my sources that not only helps answer your question but also addresses a number of other energy and money saving tips.

Answer 5

Items that are always plugged in using a small amount of current.

Same as a hair dryer. If you drop it in the tub while it's not running, it's still going to electrify the water. Same thing with your toaster.

Any energy conservation website can tell you that.

Answer 6

in theory the outlet still has power being transfered through to the kettle as it is switched on.....but if you were to monitor the usage it wold prob. acumulate to 1 unit per fortnight (half a penny) as the the other answer states only if a standby light is on is there a continued flow of electricity (still nothing major though)

Answer 7

As long as they don't have a standby light, they won't be using any electricity.

Answer 8

It won't be using electricity but i would still turn it off and unplug it before i stuck anything it it!! Just to be on the safe side

Answer 9

Not normally no, but some toasters are electronic and have displays on them that use a small amount when idle.

Shouldn't leave a toaster plugged in anyway when not in use, or at least switch it off at the wall.

Answer 10

No it is only using electricity when in use. Same with the kettle

Answer 11

WHAT

go back to school

Answer 12

yeah, if it got struck by lightening or there was a power surge, the toaster would jump.

Answer 13

I wouldn't worry about it because you're using more electricity by asking lame questions on here

Answer 14

it 100% uses some power when it's plugged in (a negligible amount). Fully unplug it to make sure it uses none.

Answer 15

Electricty is flowing round the circite but not being just dont take any chances with electricty

Answer 16

Yes it is using the same.  You could try using a different outlet.

Answer 17

Unless your toaster or kettle have some other electronics the answer is NO. They only contain heating elements that operate off of the AC current and no such current flows through an open circuit, so don't let the ill-informed try to tell you different. If they were even moderately correct, the entire world would have run out of electrical power long ago from all those turned off appliances.