Unplugging from the rat race for a week or so during the summer helps recharge your batteries.

Unplugging your appliances when nobody’s using them helps conserve energy.

Most people leave at least 40 appliances plugged in all the time — even though they use trace amounts of electricity when they’re turned off. That trickle of power use adds up.

In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that between 5 to 10 percent of your energy bill pays for the electricity used by the computers, TVs, chargers and small appliances you leave plugged in around the clock — even when they’re turned off or in standby mode.

Save energy and money by unplugging unused appliances including: computers, TVs, DVD players, modems, cable TV boxes, cordless phones, phone/tablet/iPod chargers, coffeemakers, lamps, and kitchen countertop appliances like toasters, electric can openers, juicers and food processors.

Before you unplug, of course, determine if there’s a good reason to leave a device plugged in. For example, if your coffeemaker is preset to turn on at a specific time every morning, you might need to leave it plugged in all the time.