Energy Saving Appliances

	DESCRIPTION The sudden explosion of new technology in recent years has created an insatiable thirst for 24-hour information, communication and entertainment - and, as a result, new demands on our energy supply. A massive £3bn worth of electricity is currently spent powering consumer electronic and computer products alone in the UK every year - that's 30% of the average household electricity bill. In fact, consumer electronics and information communication technology are expected to account for nearly half of all domestic energy usage by 2020. According to the US department of Energy, "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 device such as an Intelliplug that helps reduce energy consumption when an appliance is not in use. Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do when choosing electronic equipment to save money and energy in your home. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your gadgets energy efficient: Do your research before you shop There's no need to compromise on functionality to be more energy efficient. Many of the latest and most sophisticated consumer electronics carry the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Look for the logo The Energy Saving Recommended logo is a simple and quick way to find the most energy efficient products. You'll find it on a wide range of products from kitchen appliances including washing machines and fridges, lighting and gadgets to televisions and set top boxes. Ask in store With energy consumption continuing to rise, the running costs and efficiency of a product are important considerations. Sales staff should have a good working knowledge of the features and benefits of each product so be sure to ask them: Whether it is Energy Saving Recommended How much energy the product uses when on standby Whether the product has any special energy efficient features such as automatic standby which powers appliances down if they are not used for a certain amount of time, or screen blanking which allows you to listen to digital radio on your TV without using excess energy Look out for integrated appliances - fewer products means less electricity so buying an integrated digital television, which combines a TV with a digital receiver, is good for both your pocket and the environment. Why energy efficiency matters Around 8% of total UK TV energy consumption is from standby alone - so turn it off when you have finished watching and save yourself money. The new large flat screen TVs can cost up to three times as much to run as traditional TVs. This can add up to a surprising £85 to a typical household electricity bill every year. Do your research before you buy to make sure you're getting the most energy efficient model. The UK's DVDs and VCRs consume over £200 million worth of electricity each year and this is expected to nearly double by 2020. This is mainly because they are left on standby, so turn them off at the plug when you're not using them. Every year set-top boxes in the UK use around £285 million worth of electricity. Energy Saving Recommended TVs have a built-in set top box, which saves enough electricity to make around 2,000 mugs of tea a year) - and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. The latest generation of computer games consoles consume up to an astonishing 180W of electricity - the equivalent of leaving three 60W bulbs burning (and potentially adding £160 per year to the electricity bill). Switch off your games console at the wall when not in use to save money and energy. [sources: Energy Saving Trust and Wikipedia] Back

Energy Saving Light Bulbs

DESCRIPTION
The sudden explosion of new technology in recent years has created an insatiable thirst for 24-hour information, communication and entertainment - and, as a result, new demands on our energy supply.
A massive £3bn worth of electricity is currently spent powering consumer electronic and computer products alone in the UK every year - that's 30% of the average household electricity bill. In fact, consumer electronics and information communication technology are expected to account for nearly half of all domestic energy usage by 2020.

According to the US department of Energy, "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 device such as an Intelliplug that helps reduce energy consumption when an appliance is not in use.

Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do when choosing electronic equipment to save money and energy in your home.

Follow these simple guidelines to keep your gadgets energy efficient:

Do your research before you shop
There's no need to compromise on functionality to be more energy efficient. Many of the latest and most sophisticated consumer electronics carry the Energy Saving Recommended logo.

Look for the logo
The Energy Saving Recommended logo is a simple and quick way to find the most energy efficient products. You'll find it on a wide range of products from kitchen appliances including washing machines and fridges, lighting and gadgets to televisions and set top boxes.

Ask in store

With energy consumption continuing to rise, the running costs and efficiency of a product are important considerations. Sales staff should have a good working knowledge of the features and benefits of each product so be sure to ask them:
Whether it is Energy Saving Recommended
How much energy the product uses when on standby
Whether the product has any special energy efficient features such as automatic standby which powers appliances down if they are not used for a certain amount of time, or screen blanking which allows you to listen to digital radio on your TV without using excess energy

Look out for integrated appliances - fewer products means less electricity so buying an integrated digital television, which combines a TV with a digital receiver, is good for both your pocket and the environment.

Why energy efficiency matters
Around 8% of total UK TV energy consumption is from standby alone - so turn it off when you have finished watching and save yourself money.

The new large flat screen TVs can cost up to three times as much to run as traditional TVs. This can add up to a surprising £85 to a typical household electricity bill every year. Do your research before you buy to make sure you're getting the most energy efficient model.

The UK's DVDs and VCRs consume over £200 million worth of electricity each year and this is expected to nearly double by 2020. This is mainly because they are left on standby, so turn them off at the plug when you're not using them.

Every year set-top boxes in the UK use around £285 million worth of electricity. Energy Saving Recommended TVs have a built-in set top box, which saves enough electricity to make around 2,000 mugs of tea a year) - and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

The latest generation of computer games consoles consume up to an astonishing 180W of electricity - the equivalent of leaving three 60W bulbs burning (and potentially adding £160 per year to the electricity bill). Switch off your games console at the wall when not in use to save money and energy.

[sources: Energy Saving Trust and Wikipedia]

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