The average monthly electric bill in the U.S. is $130, or more than $1,500 a year. Our America Now tipster, Zorianna Kit, has researched a simple solution to stop the electricity from hemorrhaging from your favorite tech toys that you thought were your friends.
"You thought your new plasma screen TV was a deal, until you got your energy bill," says Zorianna. "What you didn't count on was that most new electronics take up more power than their less flashy, older versions. Even off, a TV like this can draw as much as 40 watts an hour. All electronics draw some power even when they're in sleep mode, and that can add over $2 a month each, or $24 a year to your bill."
So what's the solution? The "Smart Strip!"
It works by turning off devices plugged into your TV or computer when they're not being used, which saves energy and money.
There are devices you want plugged in all the time. But the Smart Strip understands that. It automatically knows what to turn off and what to keep on.
First, you have to program it. Here's how: Your TV cord into the blue control outlet. Then, anything you want to save energy on – like your DVD player, or maybe your video game console or stereo – you'll plug it into the green outlets.
The Smart Strip will keep these items completely turned off when not in use. The things you need to have on go in to the red, or "constant hot" outlets, and they'll run continuously while plugged in. You can also plug in your phone or routers on the end.
The Smart Strip costs approximately $30, so it's well worth the investment in the long run.
No more worrying about what appliances to turn off. Let the Smart Strip be smart for you, so you can focus on other things – like channel surfing!
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