…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).

