Dogs are man’s best friend. For many people, their dog is not only their companion, but their pet is also their protector, their best friend, and an important member of the family. If you’re like a lot of people, you may love your dog so much that you hate to leave him or her alone all day while you’re gone at work, and that’s very common. So, your solution, like many dog moms and dads may be to leave the TV on all day so your dog can at least be “entertained” while you’re gone and maybe miss you a little less.
Ask any dog mom or dad and they’ll attest that leaving the TV on for their dog helps pass the time by. It can reduce stress and anxiety in dogs and keep them out of trouble. If a dog is more entertained, they’ll be less inclined to chew up the throw pillows on your bed or chew the legs of your favorite coffee table. But, leaving the TV on is not ideal when it comes to saving money and energy, so what is a dog parent to do?
Energy & Money-Saving Tips
You may have already decided that you’re keeping the TV on – it just makes your dog happier and that’s okay. We understand! That said, here are some ways to save money and energy in the meantime:
- Switch off your TV when no one is watching it. For example, when you take your dog for a walk, when your dog is sleeping in your bed for the night, or when you’re taking a trip to the local dog park, shut the TV off.
- Older TVs use more energy. If your current TV’s energy usage is below 1 watt, that’s good, but if it’s an older model, you may want to consider upgrading to a new, energy-efficient model.
- Lower the brightness level on your TV. Even the factory settings are higher than what most people need.
- If you’re in the market for a brand-new, energy-efficient TV for Fido, think about using a smaller one for your dog. Consider a TV with a smaller screen and placing it somewhere other than the main living or family room where you typically watch TV. You’ll save money with a smaller screen!
Remember, when in the market for a new TV, the following factors affect how much it costs to run: 1) the TV’s age, 2) the size of TV (the smaller the TV, the less it costs to run), and 3) the type of TV.