03-08-2009, 06:30 PM
A lot of things use power when off. How much depends on how old they are. Most people never think about turning the cable/DSL modem, wireless router, printer, external hard drive off when they know they will not be using them for several hours.
I now have two power strips near the computer. One is for computer, DSL modem, display. The second has printer, hard drives, cell phone charger, etc. When the second power strip is on with only the wallwarts plugged in but none of the devices connected, it draws 6 Watts according to the Kill-a-watt.
Back when I had Expanded Basic cable, the Scientific Atlanta cable box used 28 Watts when it was plugged in but turned "off" and 36 Watts turned on. My combo VCR/DVD player uses 10 Watts when "off" and 21 Watts turned on. I had those on a power strip that I would turn off when I was not watching and did not have any programs scheduled to record.
I now have two power strips near the computer. One is for computer, DSL modem, display. The second has printer, hard drives, cell phone charger, etc. When the second power strip is on with only the wallwarts plugged in but none of the devices connected, it draws 6 Watts according to the Kill-a-watt.
Back when I had Expanded Basic cable, the Scientific Atlanta cable box used 28 Watts when it was plugged in but turned "off" and 36 Watts turned on. My combo VCR/DVD player uses 10 Watts when "off" and 21 Watts turned on. I had those on a power strip that I would turn off when I was not watching and did not have any programs scheduled to record.