Energy Efficiency is the most cost effective and cleanest way to reduce emissions from energy use. As well as saving energy, it has many additional benefits, from decreased maintenance and replacement costs for equipment to lower risk of fires in the home. Detailed example of some energy efficiency measures that can be carried out in the home follow.


Standby Power
Standby power refers to the power used by electronic devices such as televisions, microwaves, touch lamps and computers when they are turned off but not switched off at the power point. Standby power wastes enormous amounts of energy and contributes to 10% of the average home's electricity bill. Toasters, kettles and lamps do not use standby power.

The best solution to standby power, of course, is to turn the equipment off at the power point. This is easier said than done, especially when you have to contend with lazy parents, indifferent flatmates or young children. It’s helpful to set up the appliances in each room so that it is easy for everyone, label and educate people and then get into a habit. For example, a microwave on a fridge, plugged into a double adaptor shared with the fridge, in a socket behind the fridge is not likely to be turned off when not in use. Learn how to beat the standby power out of your house. Photos to come shortly!

1 - Sensible placing of power boards

Many people are unlikely to turn off a TV or microwave at the switch if it is difficult to find the switch. Run a power board with its own switch from the power point to a convenient place, such as in front of the TV or microwave, or on the desk where the computer or printer is located. Power boards with illuminated switches help to remind people to turn the board off but use marginally more power.

2 - Multiple Switched Power Boards

Some power boards have switches for each power point. In conjunction with labels, this is very convenient for turning off appliances. However, these are expensive and it is usually possible to beat standby power with a power board with one switch.

3 - Appropriate set up of power boards and double adaptors.

It is often the case that some appliances that should not be switched off share a power point with appliances that use standby power, such as a microwave and fridge combination.
A double adaptor can be used to separate the appliances to be switched off from those that should be switched off. Plug the appliance, such as the fridge into one socket in the adaptor. From the other socket, plug in a power board that has its own switch. This power board runs the appliances that use standby power. Place the power board so that you can easily turn off the power board when you don't need them. The fridge will always be on because it is always on at the power point and the microwave can easily be turned off. This also works for bedrooms with desklamp/computer combinations or cases where someone does not want to turn their pay TV box off but is happy to have the TV off.

4 - Labels

By labelling the power cords, beating standby power becomes easier. It helps to form habits and to avoid unplugging your computer when you thought it was your printer.

5 - Cordline (inline) Switches

Standby power would be easier to deal with if appliances actually had switches in the power cord. You can insert a switch into the power cord of a radio and then cover up the normal switch to get into the habit of using the switch on the cord. The same can be done with microwaves, but do not use the switch while the microwave is heating food. Also, electricians are supposed to do this work. If you are not confident to do it, you may want to purchase a short extension cord with a cordline switch already installed.

6 - Multiple Remote Control Power Points

Although it is actually easy to beat standby power with a smart setup of appliances and a few weeks of getting into a habit, there are many cases where it is unlikely the occupants will ever turn off appliances at the switch. One example is entertainment units, where televisions, VCRs, DVD players, Pay TV boxes, electronic antennae and surround sound stereo systems all combine to use over 50W in standby, or 1200Wh/day (equivalent to the output of a $3000 photovoltaic system, or driving to Melbourne and back once a year). This can be beaten with a remote control power point. This is plugged into the wall and all the appliances that use standby and are able to be turned off are plugged into it. The remote control turns off the power point so that the user can turn off the standby power in the same way they turn off the TV - with a remote. How hard is that? The remote control power point itself uses 0.9W standby power. The Cooperative supplies this item to members/non members for $15/$18.

If you can find any standby challenges that are not covered in these examples, please comment below. There is one we are still looking for - how to turn off the digital clock in a hard-wired oven. Please add suggestions.