Need a new TV? Or want to replace your computer? The January sales are a gadget buyers’ dream. But sometimes the price tag doesn’t tell the whole story, as not all gadgets are equal. Some are greedy and guzzle their way through energy, draining your piggy bank along the way. Others may cost more upfront but are energy efficient with much lower running costs and bigger savings in the long run.
The trick is to know which gadgets and technologies are the most efficient so you can cut your bills.
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Energy saving computer gadgets
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Ever wondered how much energy your TV, Playstation or Satellite was using? Here are some of average rates for typical home appliances.
| Gadget/appliance | Typical use per day | Running cost (££/year) | Typical emissions (kg CO2/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV in main room – 32” LCD, bought 2006 | 5 hours on | Around £35 | Around 140 kg |
| TV in main room – 42” plasma, bought 2006 | 5 hours on | Around £80 | Around 330 kg |
| DVD recorder, bought 2006 | 1.3hours on | Around £12 | Around 50kg |
| Satellite set top box, bought 2005 | 17hours on | Around £20 | Around 85kg |
| Playstation 3, bought 2007 | 2 hours on | Around £20 | Around 80kg |
| Laptop, bought 2007 | 4 hours on | Around £4 | Around 20kg |
| Desktop and LCD monitor, bought 2006 | 4 hours on | Around £25 | Around 120kg |
| Washing machine, bought 2005 | Used 274 times a year | Around £30 | Around 120kg |
| Fridge-freezer, bought in 2000 | On 24hrs a day | Around £60 | Around 260kg |
The calculation will give an estimate of the yearly running costs of any gadget.
You will need three things:
1. The power rating or wattage of the appliance. This is found on the appliance. However, be aware that the power rating is the maximum amount of power an appliance can handle and is usually much higher than the actual running power. To get a true power rating, use a plug in energy and power monitor
2. The time the appliance is on for.
3. The cost per unit. You should find this on your electricity bill.
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Got your eye on a particular gadget? Find out its power rating and use this calculation to find out how much it will cost you to run each year.
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More often than not, TVs are the appliances in your living room that cost you the most to run. But though we may moan that there’s nothing good on the box, most of us wouldn’t want to live without it. So if you’re looking to buy a nice, shiny new TV, go for one that is more efficient and costs you less to run.
A TV’s energy use depends mostly on the screen size but also on the technology it uses, so always take these into consideration when making your choice. Integrated options are often a good bet, as one gadget will use less energy than two individual gadgets.
| What are you looking for? | Energy efficient alternatives | Gadget guzzlers |
|---|---|---|
| I want a flat screen TV |
LCD screens | Plasma screen |
| Size for size, LCD technology usually uses less electricity than plasma. A 42” LCD TV can save you £20 a year in running costs compared to a 42” Plasma TV. This equates to around 90kg of carbon dioxide. |
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| I don’t know what size TV I want |
Small | Large |
| Size matters. A small TV equals smaller running costs. Choosing a 32” LCD screen rather than a 42” LCD can typically save you £20 a year in electricity. |
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| I need a top set box for my TV |
Energy Saving Recommended standard set top boxes | A typical standard set top box |
An Energy Saving Recommended standard set top box uses 50% less electricity than a typical standard set top box. |
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| I want an Integrated digital TV |
Energy Saving Recommended integrated TV and top box | A typical integrated TV and top box |
If you’re looking for a TV with a built-in digital tuner, an Energy Saving Recommended model can save you around £40 over its lifetime, and it will also save enough CO2 to fill 38 red telephone boxes, compared to a typical model. It cuts costs, saves energy, reduces the number of remote controls needed and gives you extra space as everything is all in one. |
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Look out for the Energy Saving Recommended logo!
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There are a number of overriding factors that can affect the amount of energy your computer uses:
| More energy | Less energy |
|---|---|
| Ready to be used | Sleep/standby |
| Desktop | Laptop |
| Faster processor | Slower processor |
| Heavy use (processor-intensive tasks such as gaming) | Light use (e.g., email, word processing) |
But the actual amount of energy usage varies from model to model. Newer models are usually more efficient than older versions, with new laptops coming top of the list. A new laptop uses around 85% less electricity a year to run compared to new desktop and monitor.
Once again, look out for the Energy Saving Recommended sticker. Computers that display this logo use around a quarter less energy in sleep mode than an average new computer.
The same goes for printers. An Energy Saving Recommended printer uses around a quarter less electricity a year. If everyone buying a new inkjet printer in the UK in 2010* were to buy an Energy Saving Recommended one, they would have save £700,000 a year off their bills, and nearly 3,000 tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to taking 900 cars off the UK's roads.
* Based on sales figures from 2008
Ever walked into your home and heard a soft hum buzzing in the background? That is the sound of appliances left on standby. On average we waste £33 a year by leaving appliances like this. If you’re an unintentional serial offender, consider investing in one of these little helpers:
The award winning Ecobutton plugs into your computer via a USB port. When you leave your desk for a coffee or stop typing to answer the phone, hit the button and your computer will go into the most economical sleep mode available - almost the same as when it’s shut down. Press any key on your keyboard and your computer instantly returns to where you left off.
An intelligent controller is a kind of glorified multi-plug. Plug your computer and various accessories (monitors, printer, speakers, external hard drive etc) into the sockets. When you switch off your computer, the rest of the accessories are powered off with it. One of these devices could save you between £4 and £10 a year, depending how many things you plug into it.**
The DIY option is a free and easy way to make your computer more energy efficient. There are lots of things you can do from changing your power settings to environmentally disposing old computers. Find out more.
** Some devices (for example some types of digital set top box) need to be left on standby to download program information and to allow them to update themselves from time to time. Please stick to all manufacturer’s instructions or guidelines on whether a device can be safely turned off standby or not.
Calculate the yearly running costs of your gadgets >
View Energy Saving Recommended standard set top boxes >
View Energy Saving Recommended integrated TV >
View Energy Saving Recommended laptops >
View Energy Saving Recommended printers >
Save money with the award winning Ecobutton >
Cut costs with an intelligent controller >
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