Save money by turning off home / office electronics

      Heard a quick story on the radio this morning, and did a little research on the internet. Did you know 3/4 of the power used by home and office electronics are used when the devices are turned off? Here is some information we collected from Wikipedia and the U.S. Department of Energy website

In the U.S., nearly 4.2 million people worked from home in 2000, up from 3.4 million in 1990. Working from home saves energy and time by cutting out the commute, but it may increase your home energy bills a lot unless you use energy-saving office equipment

Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.

There are a few simple methods to reduce standby power. The easiest way to do that is to simply unplug the unused devices. Replacing battery powered devices, such as cordless phones or rechargeable razors with corded alternatives not only cuts down on the standby power required to charge the battery, but also reduces energy lost in battery charging and discharging inefficiencies.To switch off several devices that are often used together such as a PC, a monitor and a printer it is advisable to use a switchable power bar or surge protector with multiple sockets.Timers can be used to turn off standby power to devices that are unused on a regular automated schedule.

Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.

There is a common misconception that screen savers reduce energy use by monitors; they do not. Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning monitors off is always the better energy-saving strategy.

Common misconceptions sometimes account for the failure to turn off equipment. Many people believe that equipment lasts longer if it is never turned off. This incorrect perception carries over from the days of older mainframe computers.

Consider buying a laptop for your next computer upgrade; they use much less energy than desktop computers.

Devices and functions that can consume standby power

• Power supplies, transformers and inefficient electronic devices.
• VCRs, DVD players and some audio systems.
• Set-top boxes
• Microwave ovens
• Computers, digital monitors and printers
• TVs, if not switched off from the power switch (if they have one).
• Air conditioning systems with remote control.
• Devices with "Instant on" functions, with remote control receivers, or waiting for the user to interact.
• Devices with a stand-by light or clock.
• Small transformers that convert AC electricity into DC electricity, whether or not they are powering any device.
• Devices that get warm or that have warm transformers when they are off.

Shop for ENERGY STAR Home Electronics

• Cordless Phones
• Televisions
• VCRs and DVD Players
• Combination Units (TV/VCR; TV/DVD)
• Home Audio
• Set-Top Boxes

Shop for ENERGY STAR Products for Offices

• Computers
• Copiers
• Fax Machines
• Monitors
• Multifunction Devices (fax, scanner, copier)
• Printers
• Scanners

ENERGY STAR® office equipment is widely available: it provides users with dramatic savings, as much as 90% savings for some products. Overall, ENERGY STAR office products use about half the electricity of standard equipment. Along with saving energy directly, this equipment can reduce air-conditioning loads, noise from fans and transformers, and electromagnetic field emissions from monitors.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/home_office.html