No one likes to pay for something that they aren’t going to use. We opt out of extended warranties and rental car insurance for this very reason, yet every time we leave our homes empty we are left footing the bill for electricity and gas that we weren’t around to use. Many homeowners will attempt to diminish these costs by turning off the thermostat and all of the lights before leaving for work or vacations. However, this action doesn’t eliminate use of energy in the home completely and what happens if you forget to turn everything off?
While researching this topic, I stumbled upon an interesting design concept that could save homeowners money on their energy costs and eliminate a major source of energy waste in this country if it were to be implemented on a large scale. It is called “Off” and it is a handle that has the ability to turn off the gas and electricity supply to the home with just one turn of a handle.
The handle is hooked up to the gas and electric supply for the home and has three options on it:
- Gas
- Electric
- All
By turning a dial you choose which fuel types you want to shut down when you leave. Once you have made your selection, press the button to power off the systems. When you return, simply turn the handle to turn everything back on.
It is simple. It takes nearly no time to use, and it will save money and prevent waste. This device was chosen as a winner in the 2011 Red Dot Design Concept contest, and if it were ever to be created and marketed, it would become a coveted devise in every home.
