Standby energy saving devices
Example devices
These aim to save energy and you money by fully switching off a number of devices when you switch off a master product. For example you can switch a TV to standby, this is detected by the power saving device, which then switches off all the connected products, such as the set top box, DVD player, home cinema amplifiers, TV backlighting and so on.
Another, more advanced type of device can save more energy by detecting a signal from the TV remote control, by its built-in infrared receiver, and then fully switching off the TV as well. Some power saving devices have one or two non-switched sockets for any VHS or digital TV recorder, with a clock and programmed recordings, you need to keep on standby.
There are a dozen or so on the market, mostly costing around £20 upwards, so we have tested five, typical of the types out there and costing from £19.50 to over £40.
Price is not much of a guide. Both the £42 device and a £20 one were simple to set up, easy to use, worked well, operated on low power and their manufacturer claimed surge protection for all connected products. The more expensive one had eight sockets – a master one, two that were permanently on and five others. The cheaper one was three way – two sockets plus one permanently on though you could extend these with an ordinary multi-way extension socket.
GO FOR
- ones that operate by programmed infrared control, because they switch the TV fully off too. They have an infra red sensor, often a module at the end of a metre or two of lead, so the socket unit can be hidden with just the sensor on show. Once programmed you operate the device by pressing a button on the TV remote control. With some you need to press twice, once to switch the device and again to switch the TV.
- devices with at least two unswitched sockets. These can be used for products you often need to keep on standby, such as a digital TV recorder set to record a series.
- instructions with good clear diagrams and logical, step by step guidance on programming and installation.
AVOID:
- devices that respond to any infrared command – they will be turned on when you remotely switch on, say, a separate audio system in the same room. Some devices will stay on only if they sense the increase in current drain they expect.
- devices that just detect the change in power consumption of the product on the master socket, usually the TV – because it stays in standby so you save less energy. Also the budget (£20) one we tested tended to come on and off a couple of times very quickly before settling in the ‘on’ mode, which could damage connected products. Not all current sensor ones do this but infrared systems are less likely to.
Remember: Although it’s convenient to switch off a number of products in one go, you will not save much energy or money if your products are modern, low energy ones – less than 1 watt in standby. The devices all use some power themselves – the five on test varied from 0.4 to 2 watts in standby and 1.1 and 1.9 watts in ‘on’ mode. You could save energy if you have quite a few connected products on the device, particularly if some are older with high standby power consumption.
Test methods
Five power saving devices were tested to reflect the range of types on the market. Their instructions were used and assessed to install the devices in a typical home set up. So, using each device a TV, DVD player, set top box and video recorder were all connected.
To check the devices worked correctly, connected products were switched on and off as yours might be at home. The power used by the devices was checked, with no products connected and in both standby and ‘on’ modes. Ease of use on a day to day basis was rated.
Findings
- Instructions were mostly a single sheet, with straightforward, step by step guidance. One of the five was poorly worded, making installation quite complicated, and in lettering too small to read comfortably.
- Installation of the others was logical, just a bit fiddly on one with a hidden standby and ’on’ mode button.
- Four of the five devices operated correctly, but one sent an intermittent, varying power supply to the connected products and could have damaged them. We have alerted the supplier.
- Power consumption of the devices themselves varied. Here is what we measured, with no products connected, in watts:
Power in standby 0.4 0.4 0.47 0.88 2.0
Power in ‘on’ mode 1.1 1.2 1.9 1.3 1.9