Ask Engadget: Best 'green' power strip out there?
By Darren Murph 
posted Oct 8th 2009 9:13PM
posted Oct 8th 2009 9:13PM
"I just moved into a new apartment and have been reading about all of the new power strips out there, especially the green ones. I was wondering if you had any suggestions about which "green "power strips are out there with decent joules ratings. And when I say green, I mean power strips that have the remotes or switches to turn off all electricity flowing to certain plugs and with at least 2 plugs that are always on. I was looking specifically at sub $50 because I will need two, but if that is not possible I could be convinced otherwise. Thanks!"Don't be afraid to wave your green pride around here, folks. If you've got a power strip that nixes vampire drain and fits the bill, spill the details in comments below. It helps everyone to help the planet, ya heard?
first
biatch
Toasty!
Belkin conserve power strip
http://www.belkin.com/conserve/
http://www.unplggd.com/uimages/unplggd/2008_06_27%20inca%20powerstrip.jpg
+1 Best green power strip I've ever seen.
Poor design. Power bricks would have to be plugged in the "wrong" way.
@ James
Power bricks aren't usually polarized, so it shouldn't make a difference.
That is a nice looking desktop power strip but can't tell if it has a sensor to shut off power to set of outlets on strip when rooms are vacant.
I like this product that has a sensor.
http://www.wattstopper.com/products/details.html?id=74
No longer sponsored by Verizon i see..
Hmmm, could the colors be subconsciously guiding us toward at&t?
The one thats unplugged...
They $3.99 one I buy at Target and switch off Everyday before I goto bed, and Everyday before I leave for work. My bill is $87 a month in a 3 floor house with 7 people. ALL of us are on PS3, Xbox 360, 1 DVR, 4 TV's, and 5 Computers. The entire house is CFL, and everything is on a powerstrip.
(Sorry Bragging, But I am proud of the numbers.)
Anything not made by monster.
This has got to be the lamest 'Ask' segment yet.
why? because you do not care for our environment? well some people do. die in hell
Why? because you do not care about our environment? Well some people do. DIE in HeII
Some people don't know how to use the comment system.
... or capital letters.
The old 90's (maybe 80's?) power strip I am using right now.
The best power strip is one that is shampooed and well groomed.
Win
Bah, I'm tired of all this green stuff! Just get some paint and do it yourself!
Test (having trouble posting my response).
You actually asked the right person.
Hands down, I'd recommend the Belkin Conserve power strip, with its remote switch. The alternatives automatically shut off peripherals upon the detection of a master device getting shut off, but that means you always have one device drawing standby power.
I did a video review on Amazon (please vote it "helpful" if you like it):
www amazon com /review/R28XHS2UX1OXCI/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
...and it was mentioned in my winning entry into Microsoft Bing's "Will Code For Green" contest (which won me ten thousand smackers):
http://www.greenzig.com/
wow, congrats
That's actually pretty cool. If one were to use it every day, how much money do you think it would save annually?
aaaaand just watched the video and answered my own question. pretty cool.
Thanks guys!
"If one were to use it every day, how much money do you think it would save annually?"
It depends on what's hooked up to it, what your energy rates are, and how long you shut it off. The rule of thumb is roughly $1 per year per watt of energy usage. I discovered that all of my devices drew about 60w of energy on standby (it might be more now that I added a PS3), and I figure I had them on for about 10-15 hours a week. That means I could save myself $45-50 annually by using the power strip, which easily pays for itself in under a year.
Quick correction after thinking about the math: I think to reach my original figure, I estimated that I sat my butt in front of the TV more.
You actually would have to spend more than 20 hours a week to get to the point where you'd only save $50 (with my standby energy usage).
If you watched less and kept your power strip turned off, you'd save even more.
I don't know about any of you, but my power strip is beige. it's kinda yellowish-beige. My TV has a big ol' black one. with a dark grey switch.
At work, they use a green one. I think it came from a christmas light kit or something, cause it has a red switch, and red outlet protectors.
there is no such thing as a green power strip unless the energy source is coming from the sun, wind, water etc...
also.. if you do use a power strip, you can unplug it when your not using the electronics that are plugged into it. it draws power even if nothing is turned on
http://www.tripplite.com/en/lp/green-power/index.cfm?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=webad&utm_content=slider4&utm_campaign=green_power
Best on the market. Tripp Lite is installed regularly in mission critical situations like hospitals.
Also, these surge protectors include UPSs, and they're around the same price as the Belkin.
Also, I prefer the auto switch-off when "vampire" or "stand-by" power is detected to Belkin's manual switch.
Im glad this question was chosen as I have been looking into the same thing recently. I had seen the Belkin devices but I like having a low power UPS for the same price. I am just concerned about how well it works to detect monitors and other devices in low power states and also how quickly you can turn them back on.
EXCEPT that Tripplite UPS's don't support any standard UPS protocols over USB. Don't expect to be able to plug it into your Mac or Linux box and get a graceful shutdown. You have to use their Windows software, which blows. Skip TrippLite for UPS's, buy ANYTHING else.
this one looks like the best one to me:
http://www.energyfederation.org/txu_energy/default.php/cPath/39_3042_2387
go here for $10 off of $50
http://www.txu.com/residential/Energy_Solutions.htm
HomeManageables HM-PS002 - Z-Wave Controlled Power Strip
2x uncontrolled outlets
4x Z-Wave enabled outlets (group controlled not individually controlled)
Works on Z-Wave wireless mesh technology
13A max load
$52
But you would need some other Z-Wave stuff to go with it
Belkin one comes with a remote control http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/148943/belkins_green_power_strip_and_other_colorful_fall_products.html and is priced $50, with the remote control you'll always have the tendency to turn it off so you don't waste power
But if you need it for a PC, which has printers, fax, scanners connected, the consider one of these http://www.techchee.com/2007/01/26/smart-power-saving-sockets-for-your-pcs/ a powerstrip that also turns off other gadgets when you shutdown your PC to save more power :D but costs more than $50 (abt $64)
BITS Limited (www.bitsltd.net)
I bought mine direct from them and I love it. One, for the 12 foot cord I was able to order it with and BECAUSE it is the kind that monitors one device to turn others on and off, which is what works for me. It's three always-on outlets are normally enough for me.
I got mine for $53 in January of '08. I don't know what power strips they offer now.
The Smart Strip works well for me:
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/Bits-Ltd./Item/LCG5/
As soon as I shut off my receiver, it'll kill the power to the TV, along with all the game consoles, while keeping power to the DVR. Works as advertised.
Personally I'm well off with http://www.oneclickpower.com/store/ products. It's got a lot of versions, I'm using the TV one. It comes with an "always on" (for SAT receiver) and a master one (for plugging in your TV) as well as peripheral plugs. After you turn off your tv, the whole set up turns off, except the always on plug. When you want to turn the set back on, you just need to push your TV remote On button. The IR receiver on the strip detects this and turns the strip back. Keep push the button and your TV will tearn back on.
When it comes to power protection, I trust (and generally pay a little more) for APC products. For your question at hand I recommend http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=P7GT
which has a master and controlled ports, great for electronics where when the CPU/TV is off you want the other devices to stay off. They even make it in a model with a battery.
I use one of these and highly recommend it.
Another 3 votes for the www.bitsltd.net strips. I've got 3 of them and they work great.
How green is this?
How much power does this device save.
For example I have seen monitors being advertised as zero power consumption on standby(green monitors).
I am just wondering how much of "energy" and how many toxins and pollutions did Belkin(or any other "green" power strip manufacturer) "waste" while manufacturing these power strips.
I think this would be better if they are used to replace the existing switch boards in the house. Or else I think it will setback the "green" factor since it is and "extra device" which requires to burn fossil fuels so that it reaches us.(apart from the toxic plastics and power used to manufacturer it).
Also I think manufactures of appliances should go green and come with inbuilt cutoff switches that can be operated by a remote control.
The idea of conserving these "small" amounts of power is welcome(since drops of water can make an ocean) but I think using more "resources" to manufacturer and additional device to do the same is pretty lame.
Seems like just another green gimmick.
I would like to add that replacing existing powerstrips with this "Green strip" or buying green strips instead of the regular stuff makes this "work". But adding a strip just to save the small amounts of power does not seem feasible. Maybe it may still save power, but I think a better option is for switchboard manufacturers to start producing "green switches" that can be turned of with a universal remote.
Now Im confused and purchasing decisions will be put off.
I use a SmartStrip. I have my monitor outlet set as the control port. When my monitor turns off, whether through it's switch or the Windows display timeout, my peripherals power down as well.
I also use Windows powercfg and Scheduled Tasks to set the computer to save more power when I'm at work, and then switch back to performance when I come home. Just remember where you put that batch file if you RDP in from work occasionally.
You may check this web site : http://www.greenit.fr/tag/smart-meter to find more information about smart meters and Green IT.
This is the most perfect strip you could ask for. I have 2 and they work great.
The blue spot is for your main device (ex: computer).
The red spots are for the things you use when the main device is on (ex: printer, speakers, fax).
Your blue device (ex: computer) always has power. When you turn the computer on, power comes on to all the red devices. When you turn the computer off, all the red devices have their power cut off and use no energy. You don't have to do any work.
Also, the white spots are for things you always want to keep on (lamp).
I bought mine for $30 new, good luck!
http://www.buy.com/prod/bits-lcg4-10-outlets-power-strip-10-surge-protected-6ft/q/loc/101/206574206.html
Great post! We also have a new product that saves on excess power drain. Our DSI Energy Saver Green Power Strip helps to reduce "phantom" or "vampire" power loss commonly found in homes and offices. http://greenpowerstripstore.com/