Which appliances should not be unplugged: and here's why

Sometimes, fearing for the safety of our home, we try to unplug all electrical appliances from the power supply. However, in some cases this makes no sense, and there are appliances that are harmful to unplug frequently. We will tell you which appliances should not be unplugged, and when you should still unplug them.

Which appliances should not be unplugged

We are used to the fact that most appliances and electrical appliances at home need to be unplugged. But there are actually some devices that you shouldn't unplug every time you're not using them. Let's take a look at what you can leave unplugged.

• TV

This question worries many: is it necessary to unplug the TV from the outlet every time? The habit of unplugging the TV from the network has remained with us since Soviet times, when the equipment did not have protection against overheating and the auto-off function. Nowadays, there is no such need – although some models consume a small amount of electricity when plugged into the network, their frequent shutdown, especially with an OLED screen, wears out the equipment (the screen begins to “burn out”).

• Router

Can you unplug the router from the outlet? You can, but you don't have to. Routers, modems, and routers should not be disconnected for the reason that they provide an Internet connection. You can turn them off only at night, but not from the network, but using the button on the devices.

• Boiler, washing machine, microwave and air conditioner

If you are unsure whether you can unplug the water heater, it is best to check the instructions, which state this. Usually, water heaters also have an on and off button. This is enough to turn off the device without having to unplug the cord every time.

Regarding whether you need to unplug the washing machine, you should do so only if the outlet is not grounded.

Can you unplug the air conditioner? There is no need to do this every time you are not using it – it is turned off using the remote control. The microwave can also be left plugged in – it consumes very little electricity.

• Computer and laptop

Can you unplug your computer? When it is off, unlike a laptop, it does not consume electricity, so you can unplug your computer, or you can leave it off if you are not working on it.

The same applies to chargers for mobile phones and laptops – if the equipment is not connected, they do not power anything and do not consume power. But you still need to make sure that the charger itself does not heat up during charging – if this happens, then in order to avoid a fire, it is better not to leave it in the outlet and change it to a new one.

It is not worth talking about whether you can unplug a refrigerator (or freezer) in this context – they require a constant connection to the network to maintain the freshness of products. Another thing is, if the electricity in the house is regularly turned off – then this equipment is advised to be turned off, and turned on only 10 minutes after the electricity is turned on. Or you need to purchase a voltage relay that plugs into the outlet and protects the equipment from voltage drops when the electricity is turned off/on.

Important: as mentioned above, large voltage drops in the network can lead to equipment malfunction and fire if the device plug is plugged into the outlet. Therefore, during periods of constant power outages, it is better to play it safe and turn off the equipment if it should not work during your absence (like a refrigerator, for example). It is also better to turn off electrical appliances from the outlet if you have animals in the house that like to chew wires.