Advertisements
Player Select
User Reviews
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 8, 2009 -- In today's society, where the focus on being environmentally aware, friendly and sustainable is key and governments are considering ways in which to reduce carbon emissions - both nationally and globally - standby power also 'stands up' as an issue of significance. However, many keen gamers and 'entertainment gizmo' junkies may not be aware of the impact that standby power is having on their electricity bills… and the planet!
TrickleStar's range of products address the issue of standby power that is consumed by PC appliances and TV accessories such as printers, modems, speakers, scanners, games consoles, DVD players, amplifiers etc by stopping the flow of standby power when they are in 'standby' mode.
"It's jaw dropping to see exactly how much of a drain simple things like leaving your games console on, or having amplifiers, satellite receivers and other entertainment devices on permanent standby can have and moreover, the cost they can add to household electricity bills," noted Bernard Emby, Founder of TrickleStar.
The Australian Consumer Association recently published an article that looked at Computer Energy Costs, including the running costs, or 'power drain' of games consoles, televisions and other entertainment system devices.
The report noted, "The device that consumed the most power in our test when in use was the PlayStation 3, closely followed by the Xbox 360 and Plasma TV. Even when idle (on, but (not) in use), these systems consumed the most power of the devices tested. Incredibly, the Playstation 3 consumed over 10 times as much power as the Nintendo Wii."
"Our tests also found that leaving a PlayStation 3 on while not in use would cost almost $250 a year in electricity bills (charged at 15c per kWh). This alone is around five times more than it would take to run a refrigerator for the same yearly period."
"The Xbox 360 was not far behind the PlayStation 3 in energy usage costs per year, serving as an important reminder to turn off videogame systems after use."
"We have developed a range of products that effectively stop the flow, or leakage of electricity caused by standby modes on all sorts of gizmos and gadgets used in the home and office," Mr Emby added.
"When you consider that standby power has been estimated as contributing to as much as 12% of consumers electricity bills - in the home or office environment - you realise just how much standby power costs, not just for the impact it has on our hip pockets, but on the electrical grid and the planet."
"As a parent, I know what it's like to have to check whether the kids have turned off the lights, or left the TV and their games consoles in standby mode. By using our products, parents can rest assured that even if their kids have left their PlayStation or Wii in standby mode, they won't be draining power and adding to the electricity bill."
Each of the products in the TrickleStar range is reliable, cost-effective, easy to use, environmentally friendly and offers superior technology to anything else on the market today.
The TV TrickleSaverTM is the simplest and most effective way to reduce the standby power that is consumed by TV accessory devices. The product has inbuilt current sensing circuitry that senses when a TV is on or off.
When the TV is 'on' the product will switch on all accessory devices. Conversely, when the TV is 'off', the product will switch off all accessory devices.
The 'sister product' of the TV TrickleSaverTM, the PC TrickleSaverTM, has been designed to offer the simplest and most effective way to reduce the standby power that is consumed by PC peripherals. The product connects to a PC via a standard USB cable and detects the power status of a PC via the USB port.
When a PC is powered the product will switch 'on' all peripherals. Conversely, when a PC is switched 'off', the product will switch off all peripherals.
Both the PC TrickleSaverTM and TV TrickleSaverTM are typically connected to a standard electrical powerstrip in order to manage a number of connected devices, so there is no need to replace existing powerstrips in the home in order to utilise the TrickleSaver units and save power.
TrickleStar has also developed an online power standby calculator which is on the TrickleStar website (www.tricklestar.com). The calculator enables users to configure their own PC or entertainment system, the hours they use the equipment and the cost of their electricity. The calculator can then provide data specifying the amount of electricity saved, CO2 saved and the 'environmental payback' period. The calculator uses independent data sourced from AMEE and DEFRA.
Mr Emby noted, "A report issued in 2001 by the IEA (International Energy Agency) stated that 'we can reduce standby power consumption by about 74 per cent using cost-effective technologies and design changes'. We see that our range of clever, efficient products offer the way forward when it comes to minimising waste and environmental impact."
"While every little bit of wasted standby power makes a big impact, every little bit of power that we save makes an even bigger impact and helps us leave a planet for our children's children. So, in short, every home and business across the globe will benefit from becoming a 'TrickleSaver' and the environment will thank us all," he concluded.
TrickleStar's range of products is now available in the United States, Canada and Mexico as well as a number of other international markets. TrickleStar's range of TrickleSaver products for North America can also be purchased online at the TrickleStar Store - www.tricklestar.com.
Story Feedback
To a certain extent I feel it's not the fault of the products available, it's the fault of the consumers for not realising their impact of leaving products on standby and the companies for not educating the consumers.
If no one knows how much energy their computer, TV, console uses, they're not going to think to pull the plug out.
I don't know about across the pond, but in the UK all of our plug sockets have switches by them anyway to cut the flow of power. Just hit these and you're away. But no one can be bothered to do it because they have no idea.
One of my flat mates I've been living with leaves his X-box and TV on all day even if he's on his PC and not playing them. Not just on-standby, I mean literally on. He used went through a bout of saying it was cheaper to leave the oven open to dry his clothes and having the windows open and the heating at full blast was "ok" because he was cold but wanted some fresh air in the flat! GAH!
Why is it that modern electrical appliances can not be turn off without switching it off from the main wall socket?
You would think that as we become more aware of our impact on the planet this practise would diminish but we are seeing the reverse.
with the 360 it's a little safer though, i keep the brick plugged in but the plug going from the brick to the console unplugged..
with the wii though, I always run the risk of doing some damage because once in a while when I plug it in there is a short.. i'm probably better off leaving this always plugged in anyway but i just hate not having the control and the only power surge I have is for my pc
you know what bothers me is the ps2 was smart enough to have an off switch but the wii and 360 don't? stupid
is losing wiiconnect24 that big of a deal anyway? i thought it was supposed to download stuff while you sleep but all it seems to do is remind you that there is something to download..
You dont have to use the Wii's standby mode. To turn the wii completely off, just hold the power button on the system for 5 seconds until the light turns red.
Don't have an account? Click here to register!

more











18 watts... 18... thats nothing...
lightbulps have more..
3watts in standby... peh...