most game systems have an auto-power save feature on the console already. you just have to turn it on. so when the system is on and on "idle" for an hour, it will either dim the screen to slow the power it uses or it will completely turn off.... i never just leave anything on all the time... except my computer. i wander how much that is costing a month just to leave it.... i havent seen a drastic change since ive had it, but it would be cool to see the amount of money its costing to leave it on constantly....

My machine wont run with nothing in it for long. It senses nothing so stops. When they did a focus on energy test I had to toss in wet clothes or it wouldn't work for them.


Dangerous because lots of heat and nothing in there if a cheap model.

Swisschick and frogger: that's a true story, but it was decades ago. Dangerous? I don't know. Incredibly stupid? Absolutely.

I unplugged all the alarm clocks in the house we don't use. I use cell phone instead. every little bit helps!

Superdave- wow what an idiot. Isn't that dangerous besides?

Does the idiot have a cell phone?

vatoloco- do it outside !)

Zoom- I thought this was familiar.
I see this old stuff come up on the side sometimes as popular or most emailed and the last entry was LONG ago.

Uh oh, justin................................................................................................., looks like someone said something inappropriate. Email me what you said.

Speaking of resurrection, get a load of this!!!

http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2010/feb...

I seriously doubt the claim of $440 cost to power a typical computer 24/356. (This computer didn't happen to say "Cray" on the nameplate, did it? ;~) $440 is nearly my entire electric bill for one year.

The most insidious energy wasters are those wall-wart or desktop power supplies. Most all will dissipate power even when the device they power is turned off or unplugged. While not too significant individually, it quickly adds up when you have several of them.

SuperDave - WHAAAAAT? You've gotta be kidding!!!! His brain turn to muscle??

I just noticed this is an old article. Do folks go searching for old articles to resurrect?

"If a flat screen TV is unplugged, do the channels and clock etc. have to be re-programed?"

Not usually. Major electronics have a battery inside that stores settings. Do you have to reprogram it when the power goes out in a storm? However, the battery doesn't last forever. Older electronics sometimes won't keep the settings.

Your AV700 is a simple surge protector.

Smart surge protectors simply have master and slave outlets. If a computer is plugged into the master outlet, for example, the power strip can sense when the PC is shut off, and cuts power to slave outlets on the strip (monitor, printer, etc.). That's where the electricity is saved. If you never shut off the electronics plugged into the master outlet, however, the slave outlets don't shut off. There are also a couple outlets that always have continuous power. On those outlets, the power doesn't "trickle". Most electronics won't run when supplied with less than 120V.

I am a pot grower, any ideas on how I can go greener and save electricity?

For some reason this reminds me of a story someone just told me. Seems her genious son liked to workout in the basement. For some things he needed a timer - so he just ran the (empty) dryer!

http://www.alliantenergy.com/UtilityServ...
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I think this is it.

If you really want to save money, check-out the kil-o-watt reader from the library, my family did.

To second Opinionsforfree, if you really want to track how much appliances use you should really invest in a kW meter. You can find them cheap online (I bought a Kill-a-watt, possibly the same one linked to previously, for $20 off Amazon marketplace). The only down-side is that they can't monitor anything 220 (unless you get an expensive one suited for that) such as laundry dryers, some AC, or anything hard-wired.

I'm curious as well, ihavealife, what is this house test through Aliant?

Thanks, Bubs. Is SmartStrip a brand name? I have a Monster Power, Power Center, AV 700, is this the same as a SmartStrip?

gfan,

I'm not sure if it the clock will reset on a flat screen if it is unplugged but I would assume so. I believe that many SmartStrip-style devices have one or two outlets that will allow devices that require a small amount of power when off to get that power. That would allow a person to cut power to their PS3 or DVD player when off but allow power to trickle to their TV or DVR if needed.

For some of you who are really interested in learning how much power anything uses in your house hold should invest in a http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stor...

If a flat screen TV is unplugged, do the channels and clock etc. have to be re-programed?

nebo, I think the point is that people do not realize how MUCH it costs them. This whole issue of vampire appliances did not exist a few years ago. The first was televisions in the 1970s and 1980s, but now there are so many computerized devices in a home that people can't keep track of them all.
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Energy issues are all "out of sight, out of mind" for many people until the bill comes. You can't SEE the electricity the way you can, say, see a dripping tap. I'm glad the Gazette is continuing this series. Even if it's something that's obvious in some ways, it's good to be reminded of it, because now maybe you'll remember to do something about it.

Good article but I know a lot of people already know the PS3 uses the most electricity. I felt the title made the article seem really stupid, no offense. Leaving game consoles on will drive utlity bills up...well...duh? Leaving anything on will increase your electricity use im pretty sure?

I shut mine off after using it. why wreck it by leaving it on all the time

With all the "Going Green" out there you would think that somone would have enforced electronic makers to have an energy saving product

Can you provide a link to that "house test"?

If you buy Smart Strips, then electronics won't draw power when they are not powered on.
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/shop/smart-e...

I set my PS3 to auto-standby after 2 hrs of inactivity, in case I forget to shut it off.

If you heat your house with electricity you can have all your stuff turned on during the heating season without losing money. Even with gas heat the money isn't totally lost. It's when you have your air conditioner on that you get burnt twice. You pay for the appliance's electricity, and the electricity to remove the heat from the appliance.