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CONSUMER WATCH Idling Wastefully The convenience of being able to switch on your television from the sofa using a remote control has a cost since some circuits in the television must remain active, watching for signals from the remote control. Initiatives to stop this energy waste have started in the State of California. Standby power accounts for upto 10% of the total residential electricity consumption annually. According to America’s Department of Energy, national residential electricity consumption in 2004 was 1.29Billion megawatt hours (MWh). The wasted energy, in other words, is equivalent to the output of 18 typical power stations. No load A growing proportion of new household devices have more efficient power utilisation. Unlike old- fashioned, chunky power supplies, which contain iron cores surrounded by windings of copper wire, these new power supplies use switch mode technology to convert mains electricity to the low voltages used to power small devices. With the addition of extra circuitry they reduce consumption to a fraction of a watt in both standby and no load mode (when power supply is plugged in, but nothing is attached to it).This issue should be considered keenly due to obvious reasons and others. Manufacturers rarely have the motive to make devices with low standby power consumption. Creating awareness to consumers will reduce their energy consumption and save them from paying excessive power bills. This reduction will also cut down carbon-dioxide emissions by nearly half having an effect on global warming. Power hungry Regulators around the world are putting in rules that stimulate manufacturers to produce devices which are less power hungry. Reducing unnecessary power consumption is not just a matter for device-makers and regulators. Consumers can do their bit by unplugging infrequently used devices or switching them off at the mains altogether. Looking for energy-efficiency logos when buying new equipment, unplugging chargers and power supplies when they are not in use rather than just letting them idly standby are simple measures that consumers can take to save energy. Costly upgrades Bringing this to an abrupt stop promotes a healthier environment by reducing emissions. It is also economically beneficial to the consumers because it lowers their bills and keeps the appliances in good condition. The convenience of being able to switch on your television from the sofa using a remote control has a cost. It is important to conserve energy because the natural resources that produce electric power are being depleted faster than they can regenerate. Energy conservation in turn conserves the natural resources, which include coal, water and oil and also lowers the overall cost of supplying to the consumer. If conservation of electric energy is realised, power plants around the country will go through less costly upgrades as well. With technology evolving fast, saving electricity will pave way for electrical vehicles to function better. Encouraging green businesses within the country is also important as businesses will turn towards generating their own power through wind, solar and other green ways. If taken seriously, there will be less standby power consumption, cutting down both the consumer’s and the country’s investments cost WATTS UP MAGAZINE APR - MAY 2017 31

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