Home entertainment

Home entertainment products include televisions, audio equipment, DVD players, home theatre systems, game consoles and set top boxes (digital receivers).

When the last study was done between 1996 and 2006, this group of products accounted for more than 500 kWh ($115 worth) of electricity each year in the average home. ^[1]

Home entertainment products are the silent thieves of large amounts of electricity, accounting for around two-thirds of standby use in your home. Nationwide, wasted electricity from home electronics products adds up to over $100 million a year. ^[1] 

As a nation, we are buying more and more of these products per household. They are getting bigger and we using them for longer. So, it is useful to understand the appliance running costs and the hidden cost of standby, before you buy home electronics products, rather than after your electricity bill arrives.

More information:

• Televisions
• Other home entertainment products
• Appliance running costs and smart use

Notes:

^[1] Isaacs, N,P (ed). 2006. Energy Use in New Zealand Households: Report on Year 10 of the Household Energy End-Use Project. Wellington: BRANZ.