Are STANDBY SAVERS a waste of cash?

There seems to be an urban myth surrounding how much electricity your TVs and Hi-Fi’s consume in standby. The latest Flat-screen TVs, DVD/Blu-Ray players etc. consume less power in standby (0.5w or costing 43p per year on standby) than some of the Standby Savers themselves (1w or £0.86 per year to run). In fact, the most energy hungry items under your television are the Satellite / Digital Set-Top Box and DVD/VHS hard disc recorders, which you’re not meant to switch off anyway as they update TV schedules and software in the wee hours, or have clocks and record programmes.

So what’s the payback on standby savers? If you plug in four boxes all consuming 0.6 watts = £2.52 less (running the standby saver) £1.05 = £1.47 per year. Cost to buy the standby saver £21.95 = payback nearly 15 years!

Here are some simple energy saving tips that don’t cost a mint

When replacing Electricals or Appliances buy the most energy efficient ones you can afford and make huge savings long-term!

Become Energy Aware – Buy an energy meter, or read your meter regularly.

As your bulbs blow replace them with energy saving bulbs.

Put your Satellite / Digital Set-Top and videos on a separate extension socket from your other equipment, and switch off the rest at night, preferably at the plug.

Shutdown your PC when not in use and switch off at the wall, as some computers and peripherals still draw power even when off!