Electronics Challenge:

Consumer electronic products are responsible for approximately 15 percent of household electricity use. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the average American household has three televisions, two DVD players or recorders, at least one digital camera, one desktop computer and two cell phones, among other consumer electronics products-the average American household has 24 consumer electronics products.

Electronics Solutions:

Do it yourself

Many electronic appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances.

In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics and appliances is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.

Below are some quick tips to save energy with commonly used electronics.

Computers

There is a common misconception that screen savers reduce energy use by monitors; they do not. Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning monitors off is always the better energy-saving strategy.

To maximize savings with a laptop, put the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off (or will turn off automatically); the transformer in the AC adapter draws power continuously, even when the laptop is not plugged into the adapter.

Turn off your monitor when you're away from your PC for 20 minutes or more. If you will be away for two hours or more, turn off your personal computer and monitor.

Televisions, DVD Players

Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).

Battery Chargers

Studies have shown that using rechargeable batteries for products like cordless phones and PDAs is more cost effective than throwaway batteries. If you must use throwaways, check with your trash removal company about safe disposal options.

Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use