How do I know which appliances use standby power?
Many appliances use energy even when they appear to be turned off.
If you see a tiny red light shining from an appliance, it generally means it is using standby power. Even appliances that don’t have a standby light can use power in standby mode - running clocks and keeping circuits warm so they are ready to operate at the push of a button.
Common items that use standby power include televisions, stereos, DVD players, video games, computers, scanners and printers, washing machines, clothes dryers, mobile phone and power tool chargers. All appliances with a remote control use standby power.
For each item, consider whether it needs to be turned on all the time. You’ll probably find that very few appliances do. For example, how many electronic clocks and timers do you really need on all the time?
If an appliance doesn’t need to be turned on all the time, switch it off at the wall. Consider moving all nonessential appliances to a single powerboard so you can switch them all off with one flick of a switch.
You’ll save money, energy and the environment.
Pledge today and turn of your standby power on 3 April.
More information on standby power.
