Use TVs energy efficiently
Watch out for standby consumption. Some flat screen TVs can use 10-12 watts on standby.
Key advice: Switch off when you leave
The best advice is to remember to switch off the TV when you are not watching it. Large flat screen TVs can use up to 500 watts per year. Leaving one of these switched on for just 1 extra hour a day can cost around 255 kWh per year (circa EUR 60) in extra power consumption.
Standby on older TVs is expensive
If you have an older TV your standby consumption can be 10-12 watts, which adds around 100 kWh per year (circa EUR 20) to your electricity bill. If you want to save money then switch off at the mains, or use an AutoPowerOff plug bank.
Generally speaking, new TVs have much lower standby consumption (circa 1-2 watts), which means you save less by switching off the equipment.
A TV AutoPowerOff plug bank switches off all connected devices
Many people have a VCR, DVD, set-top box or other devices next to the TV. Sometimes these are not always switched off at the same time as the TV. The AutoPowerOff switches everything off the moment you switch off your TV.
Find an AutoPowerOff for your TV
Meter your consumption with a SparOmeter
If you want to keep track of the power used by your appliances then you should borrow or buy a SparOmeter. This accurate meter measures the power consumption in both the on and standby modes.
Find SparOmeter
Page last updated 24.04.2009