The Best Energy-Saving Gizmo

Here's the next item I wanted to cover from Kiplinger's "The Best List". Today, we're highlighting the best energy-saving gizmo:

The Best Energy-Saving Gizmo: Smart Strip Power Strip

Consumers spend more money to power home-audio and DVD products when they're turned off than when they're active. Solution: Plug your devices into a power strip that stops drawing juice when your gadgets are off. Our top choice, the Smart Strip Power Strip ($31; www.smarthomeusa.com), has sockets that accommodate several types of plugs. And it pays for itself in lower electricity bills within a few months.

That's a startling fact: "Consumers spend more money to power home-audio and DVD products when they're turned off than when they're active." I need to check into this a bit more, then take some steps to cut (what seems to be) these needless energy expenses.

For more on saving on energy, see these posts:

• Save Up to $500 a Year on Energy Costs with These Simple Tips

• Save on Energy Costs (And What Energy Costs the Average American)

• Energy Savings Tips from Energy Star

Comments

[Lazy Man and Money]

According to About.com - http://saveenergy.about.com/od/productreviews/qt/powerstrip.htm - it seems like some devices can use AS MUCH off as on, but I don't see anything about it using MORE. I guess if you aren't using it that often (like my DVD player) all the idle power adds up.

I will definitely look into this. I wonder how nice it will play with my Harmony remote. I also want to make sure things like Tivo have the ability to tape shows with the cable box on, when I'm not at home. I'd expect that if they are controlled to have no power, Tivo wouldn't work.