How Worth It Is It To Turn Off Your Electronics?

[FlyOfFire]

Or I guess I mean is it really that significant when it comes to saving energy/money?

I'm concerned because of all the publicity lately about products draining energy even when they're off, and the importance of unplugging all your things at home when you're leaving (which, honestly, I'll never do). I've seen things like this GreenPower strip, which is impressive, but what else is out there, and does it really make a difference?

Does anyone currently use a surge protector like some of these to make it easier to turn things off, and would you recommend it?

[maxkone]

I too would like to see some more info on this.

I mean, I get the reasoning behind it. And I know I "should" unplug and/or power down electronics when not in use due to the wasted electricity they pull. But what really is it getting me? How much power are we talking?

If I spend a good about of money and effort to get new smart surge protectors and re-work how I turn things on or off, but it only saves be 1 watt or 2 per month, is it worth it? Would that time and money be better spent replacing an incandescent light bulb with a CFL or LED? You can always do SOMETHING to make anything more efficient or operate in a better way, but there has to be a measurable rate of return on your efforts. Otherwise your just wasting time and spinning your wheels; going nowhere fast.

[FlyOfFire]

Yep, I can defiantly agree with you on that. I would like to measure my efforts with something more than just how much my electric bill went down. I want to know how many watts I'm saving or how much more efficient I am being.