Go go greener gadgets!

If you're heading for the Boxing Day sales to shop for new appliances, be aware that some appliances could cost you more in the long run.

"You could be looking at two TVs of similar size and price, yet one uses double the energy of the other," says Terry Collins, Products Manager at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

"It's worth taking a closer look so you know what you're getting. Use energy rating labels and the blue ENERGY STAR® mark to choose appliances that use less power. They will cost you less to run, and they have a better environmental footprint. "

Collins believes the message is getting through. ‘EECA latest research shows that Kiwis see the advantage of more efficient appliances, with 70% of people are willing to choose one appliance over another if it uses less energy.

And that is a good thing as appliances like computers and consumer electronics are eating up a growing portion of our electricity bills. "Our homes play host to an army of gadgets," says Mr Collins.

"It's quite normal to find twenty or thirty appliances plugged in around a house these days."

"We're also using our home electronics and computers for more hours a day and many appliances still use energy when you think they're turned off. What you buy and how you use it is going to have a big impact on your electricity use."

The good news is that greening your gadgets doesn't mean compromising on features or functionality - here's how:

• Decide what you need then look for the most efficient option. You may hold onto your gadgets for a long time, so it makes sense to buy energy efficient ones. Decide what size and features you want, then shop around for the most efficient option on offer. The efficiency will vary even between appliances that offer similar features.
• Look for the blue ENERGY STAR® mark. This independent mark is typically awarded to the top 25% most efficient products in a category. It's an easy way to spot the products are best at giving a great performance for the least energy.
• If you're not using it, switch it off - properly. Wasted energy from not switching things off properly can really add up. For example, a games console left on idle mode can use as much energy as two fridges. Switch your home electronics off at the wall when you're not using them.
• Set up the power saver modes on your computer. Power options on your computer save electricity when you're not using it. You can set your computer so the power saving modes kick in after a certain period of time and automatically switches things off like your monitor.

ENDS.