If you’re 40 or older, you probably grew up in an era when there was only one, maybe two TVs in your home and a computer was either not something you’d see in most households, or it’s something you only used at work. But these days, it’s not uncommon for a house to have a TV in the living room, the family room, and in every bedroom.
It doesn’t stop with TVs. Most homes have several laptops, DVD players, appliances, PCs, printers, and other devices that are plugged in 24 hours a day. While these all have awesome technology that entertain us beyond our wildest dreams and make us more productive than ever, these devices can consume up to 10% of your home’s energy, which is reflected in your electric bill!
The problem is that it’s not uncommon for people to leave devices plugged in and they also forget to shut them off when they’re not in use. And, many electronic devices actually draw power when they’re shut off. This causes energy to be wasted in what has been coined as “vampire loads” because of the way they suck energy.
If you have more than two people in your household, you’re really going to like the solution (though it applies to all household sizes), which is convenient and affordable – it’s called an advanced power strip (APS). By replacing your traditional power strips with advanced power strips, you can reduce the amount of electricity that is wasted when your devices are not in use. And, you don’t have to change your habits.
What Are Advanced Power Strips Good For?
Advanced power strips are typically used in home offices and with home entertainment centers – places where several electronic devices are being used at once. APS are great because they prevent home electronics from drawing power when they’re idle or off.
Not all APS are the same. They come in different varieties to suit people’s individual needs. For example, if you like to fall asleep to the TV, an activity monitor APS can be set up to turn the TV, DVD player, cable, and Blue-ray off for you. Or, if you’re diligent about shutting off all electronics but are concerned about the pesky vampire draw, you can invest in a masterless APS, which can ensure that all electronic devices are off.