Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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Figure 13: Electricity usage pattern on Sunday 26th February 2012
Figure 14: Electricity usage pattern on Friday 24th February 2012
In order to examine the impact of reduction of standby energy, a standby electricity
saving device called ‘Savasocket’ was installed in the house on 25th February, 2012.
According to the product supplier, Scottish Hydro (2012), “An average house can save
up to £37 a year by turning appliances off rather than leaving them on standby.”
The
Savasocket
is a device that has six sockets in total where four sockets are applied
to electrical appliances which can be switched off when they are not in use (Fig.15). Two
sockets are used for those that require 24h operation. In the house monitored, three
sockets are currently connected to a TV, Sky box and telephone. The telephone socket
remains switched on permanently while the other two have to be switched off when not
in use. The price of the
Savasocket
device was £15.51
so that
if the company’s estimate
of the energy saving potential is true, the initial cost could be amortised within a year.
