I would like to do my part to cut my energy usage by as much as i can. is there such a product as...?

Question

I want to find a HUUUUGE surge protector. I would like to plug everything (My tv, stereo system, dvd player, phone charger, computer, alarm clock, desk lamp) into one surge protector so that when i leave the house each time i can unplug one cord which will stop every appliance from draining unneeded energy.

does anyone know of such a switch that i could buy?

thanks so much

Answer 1

You have to have obsessive-compulsive disorder to turn everything in your house off at the outlet (the power consumption is small enough not to worry about if you can afford to have all that stuff and the environmental issues could be better dealt with by building nuclear power plants to replace coal burners).  Those who are really poor and need a way to reduce their costs might also have a reason other than OCD but they also aren't likely to have a lot of devices to turn off.

But anyway, there's probably already a device for doing exactly that, the master switch in your fusebox (which can cut power to the entire house), it does require going outside but if are planning on turning everything off when you leave the house you'll be outside anyway.

The largest powerboards I've seen are 12 outlet (if you do buy a powerboard make sure it has overload protection) which might not be advisable if you are in a country with 110 V electricity (it's fine at 240 V, I use one for all my computer equipment) although the overload protection that every powerboard and double adapter should have (but which a lot of double adapters lack) should prevent you from overloading the house wiring.

The surge protectors built into cheap powerboards aren't worth paying any extra for since they don't actually last (they'll protect against the first few surges but then stop protecting your equipment without the light saying that it's providing protection going off even though it's advertised as doing so should protection be lost, and the connected equipment warranties pretty much allow them not to pay up should the manufacturer decide they couldn't be bothered paying for your ruined home entertainment system).  I'm not saying not to buy those type since they are still perfectly good powerboards, just not to expect them to be any better than powerboards without surge protectors (and possibly worse if you don't realise that they provide no protection).

Answer 2

Not sure if this will help, its a smart strip.  You may be able to plug all this things into it.  

http://www.beamingsun.com

http://www.eco20-20.com/ecostrip.html

Answer 3

That doesn't sound practical. You can get a system called a green switch which with the flip of a switch turns off all nonessential appliances. It involves replacing wall sockets and light switches. A better cheaper idea is to buy a few powerstrips with switches on them. I have one that I plug my tv, vcr, game system and stereo into, when I turn off the tv, I flip the switch, no more standby electricity usage. I also have a powerstip for all my chargers which usually is only on at night.

Answer 4

Depending on the age of your home but unless it is really old you should have a breaker box with with switches on it.  In the top middle there may be a larger one that turns off all the power to the box.  I would never do and i wouldn't recommend you do it.

Answer 5

Depending on your breaker system, it would be a bit difficult to plug EVERYTHING into one outlet, and not overtax your system.  But using a surge protector for all things, would make it easier to turn off entire blocks of items quicker.  Be careful of overtaxing your outlets, otherwise the fire damage and loss will negate any energy usage you may save.