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    Samsung UA55C7000 3D LCD TV

    The hottest new home entertainment technology to appear since the introduction of Blu-ray has got to be 3D. Most of the major brands have their own systems on the verge of launch, but Samsung was the first to make it into Australian retail electronics stores.

Home Theatre

Standby power: why it`s a waste

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Besides buying energy efficient appliances, there are many other ways to save energy in the home. You can reduce your household?s energy consumption by ensuring your appliances are not left on standby. Standby power, sometimes referred to as vampire, phantom or leaking electricity, is the electricity an appliance consumes when it is not performing its primary function.

According to the Australian Conservation Foundation, standby power contributes to around 11 percent of Australian residential electricity use. The Foundation also says that appliances on standby use on average a constant 87 watts per household, or 760 kWh per year, which costs around $100.

  Appliances on standby use on average a constant 87 watts per household or 760 kilowatt hours (kWh) each year at a cost of about $100.

Usually, it is TVs, videos, DVDs, stereos and computers that are left on standby because they are not always turned off completely at the wall switch.

Surprisingly though, washing machines and dryers also feature in the top 10 list of standby power guzzlers. Even if they are not being used, some washing machines and dryers can still draw power if they are not switched off at the wall.

In this case, you can save up to $13 a year by turning your washing machine off at the wall and $4 a year with your clothes dryer. This may seem like small amounts but with all those electrical appliances in your home, it all adds up. Ultimately, the best way to combat standby power consumption is to turn your appliances off at the wall.

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