electricity charges

[Lakeslass]

I have been told that it costs almost as much to leave a computer and television on standby as to have it "on" and that I should switch them off at the socket. Is this true?

[raysparx]

Hi lakeslass, Have to say it is true,we should all try to remember to turn them off when we go out or go to bed.

[Ethel]

You don't need to turn them off at the socket - just use the off button on the machines, otherwise you'll be resetting your tv and video clocks.

[hartley]

The other culprit is the microwave. Apparently over the lifetime of a microwave it is in standby mode for about 99% of the time and uses more power keeping the digital clock running than it does heating food.

[Lakeslass]

Thankyou everyone,I'm trying to save the planet all by myself. Since I got a water meter I can't believe how easy it is to save water - now I shall save Electricity. Whatever next. Suggestions on a postcard please,

[Buenchico]

BBC Radio 4 and World Service programmes (both about the environment and technology) frequently state that, if everyone in the UK turned off their TVs and PCs when they're not in use, two oil-burning power stations could be shut down.

I don't know who calculated those figures but, since they're used so often by a reputable broadcaster, I assume that there might well be some truth in them.

Chris

[qapmoc]

While the stuff on standby does use some energy it is only a small fraction of what it uses when actually operating, for instance my TV (I have tested it) takes about 90 watts in use (varies as the picture brightness changes)and 7 watts on standby. That said it still makes sense to shutdown stuff you don't need but as Ethel pointed out you might have a problem with clocks and settings etc..

One of the effective savings is to use low energy compact flourescent lamps instead of normal lamps.

But the most difficult saving to make is if you have kids, getting them to switch off things in rooms they are not in, sometimes at my place I come home and find every single light in/outside the house is on, fans in three different rooms are running, two computers switched on but nobody using them, video on but not in use, decoder on but not in use, etc... - and when you hassle then they get upset!

[Lakeslass]

Thankyou qapmoc,

That sounded like a cry from the heart! Believe me, I've been there with three sons. Also believe that they grow up and leave home. Enjoy them now. Sounds as though I'm miserable about it. Not so - we are a close loving family and my electricity and phone bills are much less. What more could I want?

Eileen x