100 Ways to Reduce Your Impact

Step 24 Power Strips

Use power strips for easy on/off switching of televisions/stereos/DVD players/cable boxes/etc...

Their standby consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.

Here is a list of power strips you can get easily off the internet

Comments

[belcat]

Usually turning off a power strip will make it turn off the power - why have it otherwise? The 75W is at best a guess. You're better off getting a power meter to have a real idea, because some things take next to nothing, and other take a lot. Why make your life more complicated for 10 cents a year? Oh, and I wouldn't trust those "smart" power strips until some real scientific reviews come out.

[FooGlacticon]

Belcat, might I ask what problems you forsee with smart power strips?

I got a few (gifts) and they seem to behave exactly as advertised. Less than 1 watt consumption at all times, switches reliably, etc. Sure it uses a little power, but it's nothing compared to the ~10 watts that *just the speakers* on most computers burn.

The Kill A Watt and the Smart Strip are a match made in heaven. Don't install one if it doesn't make sense!

[belkorin]

75 - 100 watts is an extreme overestimate. My 27" CRT tv, digital cable box, Wii, SNES and 120watt speakers use only 34 watts on standby. It is still significant over the period of a year. About the amount of energy you use in 1 to 2 months saved over a year.

[agraa]

it was mentioned earlier that one should unplug their appliances when not in use. This means unplugging the power strip, not just turning it off. If left plugged it in continues to draw power even when off. Also, this is not always convenient, because I know I plug power strips into hard to read outlets in my dorm room and would involve moving my dresser to get to (not easy, trust me.) However there are innovative power strips out there that can sense when things are plugged in and if they're on or not and adjust energy consumption accordingly.
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Bits-Ltd./Item/LCG4/

there are other innovations out there in regards to power strips, including energy saving and mobile outlets.