Games & TV, Costing Energy and Money

Cable Box

Blu-Ray Disc Player

Digital Surround Sound Stereo Player

As the cold air masses move down from the north onto America, we find ourselves inside more and viewing Television's new Fall shows and playing more Electronic Video Games.

Now you may think these games and shows only cost you the electric bill when on and a few batteries for the remote controls. Actually, they are costing you a great deal more if you fell into the trap that most of us are in.

Okay, how much can playing video games, watching TV and listening to music really cost?

Well, that depends on how many items you have and how many do you leave on all the time. It also depends on how many items are plugged in. Yes, that is the trap, these items are still using electrical power when off!

"Let's start with that cable box for all your TV channels and your GAME console"

Even when they are off, they are using electric power because they are still plugged in and on standby. They are ready to play as soon as you turn them on. So how much can that be?

One game console and one cable box that are plugged in to an outlet, are estimated to cost a minimum of $10.00 per month. So even if you never turn on your TV or play one game, you will waste enough energy to cost you $120.00 per year! Wait, I will venture to say many people have two or three gaming consoles and cable boxes plugged into an electric outlet. That can now add up to $240.00 a year. How many entertainment items do you have plugged in?

Now don't forget about that DVD player and stereo that is also plugged into an outlet. Your TV is also on standby when off, sucking electric power from the grid and our children's future, like a vampire. I don't like vampires.

"Nevertheless, we can deal with this and we do not need garlic or a wooden stake."

Power Strip

When you are done watching TV, playing games:
Shut off all your Entertainment Appliances and then turn off the switch on the Power Strip. (Make sure your power strip stills offers you surge protection when off.)

That is easy and you are now saving 100% on the electric bill because the appliance can no longer draw any electricity through the plug to maintain a "standby" mode.

Yes, you will have to wait a couple of minutes for everything to power back up when turning the Power Strip back on... Now isn't that a small deal.

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Do you want to go one better? For a few extra dollars you can buy a Power Strip (surge protector) that comes with a wall mounted on/off switch. By way of a radio signal the switch will turn your Power Strip on and off.

This way if your surge protector is behind the furniture, you don't have to bend or reach down for it. Also hitting a wall switch is easier and faster, thus allowing you time to collect all you snacks and drinks while the cable box powers up or as you turn on the TV with your remote control.

These Power Strips with switches come with two or three different frequencies. So you can have another Power Strip working all your Home Office equipment right in the next room without conflict.

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PLEASE NOTE:
By using a Power Strip, this will not only offer you surge protection, but will also save you at least $120.00 a year.



One hundred and twenty dollars a year is a tremendous amount of money, especially when you DONATE that amount each year to an organization like FEED THE CHILDREN.


The power companies DO NOT need another $120.00 from each of us, each year for each TV cable box and video console.

Bill Lauto, GTG