50% really? That's a lot more then I would have thought. I guess we should do this more! I unplug a few things but never the TV or computer. We don't even have a DVR (or cable...we're like cavemen!) so I can just unplug the whole power strip. So simple, I don't know why I haven't been doing this! I will start now. Thanks for the reminder :)

http://vegetarianwhohatestofu.blogspot.com/

I will start now

At home I use power strips from www.practecol.com/power-sa ver . The one I have in my home office comes with a remote so when I'm finished with my computer, external drive and printer I turn off the supply to those items. It has two outlets that allow my lamp and phone to remain on. I love it!

These are great energy saving tips, but I was hoping the title of this post would lead to "unplug it, leave it off and try living life without watching TV, or only watching it on rare occasions when there is really something compelling to see!".  That's a very healthy option, too!  :)

Silly Question: If you have a power strip are you only getting engergy for one plug or for everything plugged into it too? So would it be 1 outlet's worth or 6 outlet's worth of energy?

Being a north american in the UK, I have to say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that all power sockets can get turned off at the wall. They have little switches beside the power outlet point on the wall, and you can turn the power off to that socket with a flick of the switch. Makes it ever so easy to turn off groups of devices with out having to sort out cords, or allows you to easily turn off countertop kitchen goods like toasters and kettles :) Wish we had this back home!

I unplug everything that I'm not using--my microwave, coffeemaker, cell-phone charger--everything except for my fridge. It really does save a lot of money and resources.

I agree with the post above to just leave the TV off.  We try to only turn on the TV for movies and baseball games :)

I use the power strips too.  everything is plugged into it and I switch it off every night and during the day while at work.  Been doing this for years.....saving energy (and $$) rocks!!!

This is a GREAT tip and when we started doing this, even for things like cell phone chargers and the laptops, we saved a TON off of our energy bill!

http://SquatLikeALady.blogspot.com

June - We have all our TV cords plugged into a power strip, so if we want to watch, we just turn the power strip on, if we don't, it's turned off!  The power strip does not pull any energy when turned off.  When turned on, it will power anything that plugs into it.

Also, we don't have cable but an antenna with which we get a bunch of channels in HD.  It's a sweet set up!!!

I am happy that I don't watch regular television.  I still watch DVDs and Netflix, but I loathe commercials.  I have my DVD player and my TV plugged into a powerstrip.  If I flip the switch on the powerstrip, will that make a difference?  I find it hard to believe that, that little red light on the TV is 50% of my power bill.  I just watched Burning Our Future about the coal industry.  Every little bit of power I can save is a good thing.

http://www.burningthefuture.org/show.asp?content_id=14089

This documentary is available on Netflix.

I have a home office and use the TV for background noise. Very difficult to turn off all the time. On the pro, I'm not home very much otherwise to watch it. Will try to start unplugging.

Suzanne

What a great idea!  I love the labeling trick.  We leave WAY too many things plugged in around my house.  It's time for me to jump on this.

Gretchen

www.veggiegrettie.com

I take it they have these plugs in the USA?  in the UK some electrical companies are giving them out right now.

EcoTek plug sockets will wait until the voltage drops when a device like a TV or DVD player is in standbye then cuts off the power 100%.  

It only cuts out during a voltage drop due to standbye but for people that want ease of use and not have to fiddle with wires it's the hitech way to unplug your electronics. :)

they are a lot of different makes but here is one link http://amzn.to/jqvtcb