With the rising costs of power it is important to save energy, and money, wherever you can in the house. We often hear about not using a dryer or switching to energy saving light globes but there are even more ways to save. An often overlooked area is the home theatre. Some of these tips will cut down on a little power, some will make huge differences but all will help to keep more dollars in your pockets.

The most obvious area is when you are first purchasing. A few good decisions and a bit of restraint (yes, restraint when buying!) will save you a lot of money. If we look at TV's first there are some easy choices to make. Consider buying a smaller TV -  Yes, we know size matters but the energy savings gained by going down a size will make a huge difference in your energy consumption. A CNet study found that a 42 inch plasma screen uses 271 watts compared to 341 watts for a 50 inch model, noting a 20% saving in consumption by using the smaller screen.

As newer technologies supersede each other, sometimes we are faced with the dilemma of cost savings upfront vs cost savings over time. Given the choice between Plasma, LCD & LED technology, without doubt the most energy efficient is the LED backlit LCD Televisions (check out our blog on LCD vs LED). Despite large plasma screens being sold "cheap as chips" because they are now being superseded, think about how much they may cost you in additional energy usage in comparison to the "greener" technology now on the market.

Many manufacturers now boast a "Star Rating" so consumers can make an educated decision when purchasing in regards to their energy usage. Choose one with the higher star rating and the lowest power consumption because over time, these choices will save you a packet. These details can be normally found on the online specifications, sometimes buried in the technical specifications or more easily, look at the actual unit. The details can often be found printed on the back of the unit and may show both relative power supply and the reported watts consumed.

Another consideration should be how much power the unit will use when on standby. Even when your appliances have been turned off and you have left them in “standby” mode, a trickle of power is still being drawn. It is very important to monitor how this is controlled. Of course the simple way to ensure your equipment is not using any power is to turn them off at the wall, however another easy solution is to install a “green” power board which will completely turn off the power to those units that don't require it. - View Powerboards Online

So in short, when looking to get a Home Theatre, do your research. You don't need to spend hours online looking up the specifications. Most of the important details can be found on the display units themselves so you can weigh up power choice with personal preference.

If you would like any further help, please feel free to speak to our Selby Techs on 1800 69 2225