A guide to choosing consumer electronics

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 £2.6 bn worth of electricity is currently spent powering consumer electronic and computer products alone in the UK every year - that's almost 21% of the average household electricity bill. 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:

1. 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. Find out more about Energy Saving Recommended products
2. 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, heating and lighting to televisions and set top boxes.
3. 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
4. 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 nearly three times as much to run as traditional TVs. This can add up to a surprising £63 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.
• Every year set-top boxes in the UK use around £110 million worth of electricity. Energy Saving Recommended TVs have a built-in set top box, one of these will could save you around £7 each year compared to a TV with a separate set-top box and will reduce your 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.

Read the ampere strikes back report on consumer electronics