Unplug To Connect This Father’s Day



Author Anne Lamott cleverly captures the benefits of unplugging in today’s device-driven, multitasking world: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Keeping up with work, family and school activities or the latest trends on social media makes most of us feel compelled to constantly check our devices.

It might be tempting to buy Dad another tech gadget this Father’s Day, but it’s also a good opportunity to unplug from our devices and enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. Research has shown that we all need downtime to recharge after a busy day—even though we may resist it. Take a moment to slow down and enjoy some peaceful hours with each other and away from technology.

While you’re unplugging from your devices, take a look around your home to identify electronics that consume energy even when they’re not in use. This is known as “vampire” energy loss. TVs, gaming consoles, phone chargers and computers are some of the biggest culprits.

Putting away devices allows you to take time to recharge your relationships and be more present with those you love. Attend a community event or enjoy some beautiful surroundings with your family and friends.

Speaking of spending time outdoors, you can also enjoy energy savings by incorporating LED products and fixtures for outdoor use, such as pathway, step and porch lights. Many include features like automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors. You can also find solar-powered lighting for outdoor spaces.

Save energy by keeping warm summer air outside where it belongs. Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows. You can also employ a programmable thermostat to adjust the settings a few degrees higher when no one is home.

In our hyperconnected world, we have forgotten how to slow down. We multitask and text. We check email, then voicemail, then Facebook. Do yourself and Dad a favor: Put down the device and smell the fresh air.
When you do plug back in, Bandera Electric Cooperative is just a call or click away to help you save money and energy by connecting you with our energy-saving programs and services.