
Appliances & Electronics
Examine electronic and appliance use for opportunities to save energy and money.

Use Power Strips
Electronic devices like DVRs, gaming systems and battery chargers drain power when plugged in, even when they aren’t being used. For home office equipment, this stand-by or “phantom” power load can range from a few watts to as much as 20 or even 40 watts for each piece of equipment. And you’re paying for that power.
Plug items into a power strip and turn it OFF when you are done using equipment. This allows you to completely disconnect the electronics from their power source, and you won’t pay for what you don’t use.
Monitor Power Use
Inexpensive kilowatt meters are available that can accurately gauge power consumption, even at very low levels. These devices can help you find out which of your electronics are using the most energy and identify opportunities for savings.
Shop Televisions
When purchasing a new TV, look for the ENERGY STAR label that displays annual estimated energy use and operating cost compared to other models of similar size.
Program set-top boxes and peripherals
Some of the biggest electronic users of energy in your home include cable and satellite boxes, especially those that incorporate digital video recorders (DVRs). Save energy by enabling the “sleep modes” on your devices or plug them into a power strip that you can turn off when devices aren’t in use.
A typical household spends more on electricity for their home entertainment system than on the power used for a new refrigerator! In some homes, consumer electronics account for up to 15% of household energy use.
