What should not be unplugged?
Refrigerators and freezers must be plugged in at all times to perform their primary function of keeping food at the right temperature. Disconnecting them from the power supply, even for a short time, causes the temperature inside the appliance to rise, which causes food to spoil. In the case of freezers, defrosted food can pose a health risk if re-frozen.
Security systems, such as burglar alarms and surveillance cameras, must be connected to power 24/7. Disconnecting them causes a break in operation, which can allow for break-ins or other threats that are not detected in time. Many modern security systems have backup batteries installed, but they are designed to keep devices active for a short period of time.
Smart thermostats manage the heating and cooling systems in our homes. By being constantly connected to the power supply, they monitor the temperature in the rooms, adjust it to our preferences and save energy. Disconnecting a smart thermostat from the power supply can cause the heating or cooling system to stop working properly, which increases energy consumption.
Medical devices, such as oxygen therapy machines, must be connected to a power source at all times. Disconnecting them from the power supply can have serious, even tragic, consequences. In the event of frequent power outages, it is worth considering equipping the household with additional power generators, such as home generators.
Repeated power outages or deliberate, frequent disconnection of some devices from the power supply can negatively affect their proper functioning. The list of such devices includes inkjet printers, OLED TVs and routers.
This article was originally published by Onet.