…may be costing you! The folks over at Amicus Green Building Center
did a quick assessment on a recently installed Verizon FiOS service at one of the staff’s homes. What they discovered is that the service box cannot truly be turned off, so it’s drawing power constantly at a rate of 40 watts. Using a Kill-A-Watt EZ meter, they learned that this translates into about $3.50/month. That can really add up!
To really put this into perspective, Adam-Green Building Outreach Coordinator for Fresh AIRE, did some further calculations. Considering that Verizon FiOS has over a million subscribers, it is estimated that over $40 million are wasted annually on phantom loads from those pesky boxes! And if Verizon meets their goal of getting to between 6-7 million subscribers by 2010, that number could grow to nearly $300 million!!
Amicus recommends using the Smart Strip--a power strip that kills the power to the set-top box--it really turns it off--when you turn the TV off. In fact, Amicus is making the following offer: Bring in your Verizon FiOS, Comcast, or Cox cable bill and we'll give you 11% off our Smart Strips and electric meters to help you plug this hole--and any other hogs running around (offer good through May 16).
Great Post Sarah, and interesting information. So many appliances in our home are drawing energy just by being plugged in - a huge expense in terms of both finances and energy consumption.
Posted by: Matt | March 20, 2009 at 04:43 PM