Marc Edwards
Setting up an Eco-friendly home is never an easy task.
Besides planning and designing an energy-efficient household, you should also consider the type of electrical appliances to be used which includes getting energy-saving surge protectors for your green home.
You may not believe it, yet it is true that people who set up Eco-friendly homes tend to save more money on their energy bills.
Unfortunately, not many homeowners are aware that money is leaking away from their homes every single day.
Even when their electrical appliances are switched off.
Read on to find out why.
Table of Content
Did You Know That?
Not many people are aware that they are ‘burning’ cold hard cash away in their homes and offices almost every minute of the day.
All thanks to phantom load a.k.a standby power.
Devices that are not in active use but remain (connected) plugged into the power strip or normal surge protector are leaking away precious electricity and money.
According to the US. Department of Energy, the phantom load is consuming up to 75% of all electricity used to power up domestic electronics. They are mostly home appliances that are turned off but remain connected to power outlets or surge protectors.
Walk around your house and I assure you it would not be hard to catch any of these ‘phantoms’.
Take a look at your printer, laptop computers, microwave, and washing machines.
These electrical appliances and devices, which are still tapped into active power outlets, are still consuming electricity as they patiently await your next use.
So What Can We Do About It?
Below are a few ways to cut down phantom load:
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- Manually switch off and unplug all devices and appliances in the house after every use
- In case you have devices that need to be plugged in all the time, be sure to get smart power strips. Turning off the power switch of the master outlet of such smart surge protectors will automatically switch off all the devices or appliances that are currently plugged in. There are also power strips that come with ‘Always On” and timed outlets for devices that need to be powered on and off during certain times of the day.
- Invest in power-saving surge protectors if your house has a history of lightning power surges, regular power spikes, and disruptions, etc.
What Are Energy Saving Surge Protectors?
Energy-efficient surge protectors are eco-friendly that will save you money. These surge protection devices are able to protect your devices and appliances against nasty power surges and spikes. In addition to that, they will also make shutting down the power to peripheral devices (think speakers, printers, etc) connected to your computer hassle-free.
Most importantly, such energy-saving surge protectors are truly meant for the elimination of phantom loads. These nasty power suckers continue to suck away power as your devices and appliances continue to get plugged in after use.
Some of these energy-saving surge protectors will also cut off power to your mobile phone when it is fully charged. Such surge protection devices not only save you money by reducing energy consumption in the long run, they will also make life easier for you and your family.
Who Should Buy One?
Homeowners with lots of electronic devices and offices with tons of computer-connected peripheral devices should consider investing in electronic surge protection devices and most importantly, energy-efficient surge protectors.
Getting these energy-saving surge protectors will help cut down electricity bills plus shield your equipment against unexpected power spikes and surges.
Buying Guide – What to Look For?
When it comes to getting the best surge protection for your desktop computer at home or office, it is often challenging for most people to know how to choose the right one when shopping at malls or electrical shops.
If you have decided to invest in energy-saving surge protectors, be aware that these types of surge protectors are NOT the same as their non-energy-saving counterparts.
Besides knowing what to look for in a normal surge protection system, do make sure that the surge protectors you are buying come with the few additional features listed below:
- the outlets for “Always On” and “Auto Switched” and “Control/Master” sockets are properly labeled
- auto ‘turn off’ of power when the connected devices are not in use (please note the only sockets labeled with “Auto Switched” have such a feature
- less than 1 watt in idle current when devices are in standby mode
- Be sure to watch this video on how it works even if you are not getting our recommended protect your devices and appliances
Considerations When Buying Power-saving Surge Protectors – Our Selection Criteria
Energy-saving feature
Yes, this feature is a must-have when it comes to eliminating phantom load and you may be able to at least save up to $40 per year on electrical bills.
Number of Energy-saving Outlets
Although this will vary depending on individual home and office requirements, we generally go for one that comes with more “auto-switched” sockets than the “always-on” ones.
Cord Length
Again, the length of the cord will very much depend on your requirements. But in general, you should go for anything that is at least 4 feet and above. The longer the better if the other features are worth their salt. 🙂
Joule Rating
Surge protection devices in general have sufficient joules to take on a single power surge. The Joule rating that comes with your surge protector is a good indication of how much protection it can provide for your plugged-in devices.
Diagnostic LEDs
Yes, this feature is definitely a must-have feature since it is critical to know whether the surge protection device is still shielding our devices from nasty power surges or not.
The absence of the red LED light usually means that your surge protector has exhausted its life span and is no longer capable of protecting all plugged-in devices.
Some models of surge protectors do come with diagnostic LEDs that are able to indicate whether the wiring and grounding of devices are properly done up or not.
Well-Spaced Out Sockets
Although not all surge protector comes with well-spaced sockets, we are generally not too bothered with them. This is because we know that surge suppressors with such sockets are usually meant for devices or appliances that come with smaller plugs.
But obviously, if an energy-efficient surge protector does come with well-spaced-out sockets, it is definitely an additional plus in our book.
Power Cut to all Sockets Upon Surge Protection Failure
It is an important feature but unfortunately, not all surge protection companies have the same line of thought.
While we can understand it is essential to block power to all devices when a surge protector can no longer protect against further power spikes or surges, not everyone welcomes such a feature.
Some people would rather just get a LED notification rather than have a power cut off to their mission-critical electronic devices or home appliances.
Warranty
Most people feel cheated when they are hit by surges and their equipment and devices are fried.
Before you even buy one, please be sure to check and read the warranty small prints. Try to also understand what level of warranty and financial compensations are given when the surge protector you invested in fails to work.
Editor’s Top Choice and Recommendations
This Eco-friendly home and office surge protector from Tripp Lite features eight 5-15R energy-saving outlets that help prevent power wastage from connected devices.
Its 2160 joule surge suppression rating will help protect your equipment against most major power surges and voltage spikes.
Most importantly, unlike other energy-saving surge protectors, TLP808NETG comes equipped with 6 diagnostic LEDs to help indicate potential wiring problems and unforeseen suppressor damage.
If you are looking to invest in energy-saving surge protectors for your home or office, Tripp Lite 8 Outlet Eco-Surge Protector Power Strip is your best bet.
You may also want to check out our more thorough review of TLP808NETG before getting one.
Our Best Pick and Recommended Eco-Friendly Surge Protector
Tripp Lite 8 Outlet Eco-Surge Protector Power Strip (TLP808NETG)
GREEN surge technology protects your computer and peripherals, the environment and your wallet
Benefits and Drawbacks
- energy saving : eliminate phantom energy usage then lowers electric bill
- features 6 diagnostic LEDs
- child Safety Outlet Covers for all sockets
6 Editorial Best Picks of Energy-Efficient Surge Protectors
Below is a list of 6 energy-saving surge protectors that our team has carefully selected from a list of hundreds of surge protectors in the market.
Besides being energy efficient, these surge protectors are sufficiently equipped with great features. They also come with great reviews and ratings from Amazon and other online marketplaces.
[1] Bits Limited LCG-3MVR Energy Saving Surge Protector with Auto-switching Technology
I recently found out about this Bits Limited LCG-3MVR surge protector and I was rather impressed with it. This energy-saving device comes with ten outlets and a four-foot cord, which is great if you need to connect multiple devices in a small space. Plus, it has a right-angle plug that keeps the cord close to the wall and out of the way.
One of the best features of this surge protector is that it automatically turns off power to devices that are not in use. This is perfect if you tend to forget to turn off your devices, as it helps save energy and ultimately saves you money on your electricity bill.
Another benefit of this surge protector is that it has superior EMI/RFI filtering up to 52 dB. This helps to reduce the interference caused by electronic devices, which can result in clearer audio and video quality.
And finally, it’s always great to know that your purchase is backed by a full two-year warranty for any defects. So, you can feel confident that you’re making a smart and reliable investment.
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[2] JACKYLED Energy Saving Surge Protector Power Strip Tower Electric Charging Station
JACKYLED is an amazing energy-saving tower that has the ability to help you keep your desk organized and also reduce your electricity consumption.
Firstly, this tower is designed to save energy, as each tier has an independent switch that allows you to power off outlets when they’re not in use. Plus, its vertical tower design is space-saving, so you can free up some space on your desk.
The JACKYLED tower also features smart USB ports that can charge two cellphones together or one iPad, MP3, digital camera, or tablet. And the retractable power cord makes it easy to adjust the cord length to your needs by simply rotating the tower.
But what about safety? No worries there! This energy-saving tower has overload protection, short-circuit protection, over-current protection, over-voltage protection, and overheating protection. It’s also RoHS, CE, and FCC certified, ensuring it’s safe and reliable.
To sum up, this energy-saving tower is a great way to keep your desk organized while reducing your electricity consumption.
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[3] Tripp Lite 12 Outlet (8 Energy Saving) Surge Protector Power Strip, 10ft Cord (TLP1210SATG)
Tripp Lite is a super popular brand when it comes to protecting any electronic device from power surges and spikes. Let me provide you will more details regarding this energy-saving surge protection device.
This surge protector TLP1210SATG is designed to protect your entire home or business theater installations from power surges and spikes. It includes twelve outlets and coaxial/tel/modem/ethernet protection, making it a great choice for all your electronic devices.
The energy-saving surge suppressor includes twelve 5-15R total outlets, with one “master” outlet that controls power flow for one primary device and up to eight other devices. This means you can control the power flow for certain devices and save energy by turning off devices that aren’t in use.
It also features premium surge protection with built-in modem/coax/ethernet protection, ensuring that all your connected devices are safe from power surges and spikes.
TLP1210SATG conforms to UL 1449 Safety Standards, which means that it includes an automatic shutoff that cuts power to the outlets when the protection circuit has been compromised. This feature helps protect your devices and give you peace of mind.
This Tripp Lite surge protector also comes with a lifetime limited warranty and $250,000 ultimate lifetime insurance, which covers any connected equipment damaged by a power surge. So you can be confident that you’re protected against any potential damage caused by power surges and spikes.
Tripp Lite TLP1210SATG is an excellent choice if you want to protect your electronic devices from power surges and spikes. With its premium surge protection, energy-saving outlets, and lifetime warranty and insurance, it’s a great investment to keep your electronics safe and secure.
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[4] TrickleStar 7 Outlet Advanced PowerStrip, 1080 Joules, 3ft cord
Have you heard of Advanced PowerStrip? It’s an amazing device that can help reduce energy waste and protect your electronics from power surges.
One of its cool features is the adjustable switching threshold. You can easily adjust the control device’s power value at which the Advanced PowerStrip switches on or off the switched outlets. This means you can customize how much power your devices use and when they turn off.
Plus, the Advanced PowerStrip from TrickStar can help reduce standby power waste. Do you know the energy that electronics consume even after you’ve turned them off? Well, this device helps minimize that waste, so you’re not using excess energy and money.
The Advanced PowerStrip also has built-in surge protection technology that incorporates ceramic-encased Metal Oxide Varistors. This technology helps suppress more energy and dissipate heat faster than traditional surge protection products. And don’t worry, the ceramic casing is fireproof and capable of preventing fire during abnormal surge conditions.
If that’s not enough, the Advanced PowerStrip also improves performance through EMI/RFI noise filtering and operates quietly with noise filtering of less than 40 dB. It’s an all-around great device that can make a big difference in your energy use and electronics protection.
[5] Belkin 8-Outlet Conserve Switch Surge Protector with 4-Foot Cord and Remote
This Conserve Switch from Belkin can help you control power to your computer and other devices with just a single click and more.
You will be thrilled to know that this wireless remote switch is designed to let you shut off power – including standby power – to up to six devices at once, including your computer, monitor, and other electronics. This can help you save energy and reduce your electricity bill by ensuring that devices are not consuming power when they are not in use.
The switch also includes two always-on outlets that stay on for devices that need continuous power, like your router or cordless phone. So you don’t have to worry about them losing power when you turn off the other devices.
With a 4-foot cord length, you can place the switch in a convenient location. Plus, it ships in certified frustration-free packaging, so you don’t have to deal with any unnecessary packaging materials.
You can place the remote on a desk or shelf, or mount it on the wall – it has a 60-foot range and line of sight is not required. This means you can control your devices from across the room or even from another room altogether.
Overall, this wireless remote switch is a great choice if you want an easy way to control power to your computer and other devices, save energy, and reduce your electricity bill.
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[6] TP-LINK WiFi Smart Power Strip w/ 6 Surge Protection Outlets & 3 USB Ports HS300
This surge protection device from TP-LINK is a smart power strip that can help you control your electronics, monitor your energy consumption, and protect your devices from power surges. Let me break down some of the key features for you!
First off, this power strip comes with 6 smart outlets that you can control independently, as well as built-in USB ports for charging up to 3 devices. This makes it a great choice for controlling electronics in your home, home office, or small business.
Another important feature is surge protection. This power strip is ETL certified for surge protection, which means it can shield your sensitive electronics and appliances from sudden power surges that can occur during weather storms and cause irreparable damage.
In addition to controlling your devices, this power strip also lets you monitor how much energy they consume. You can check on each device from your Kasa smart app and turn off the ones that are using too much power. This is a great way to save energy and reduce your electricity bill.
And if you’re someone who likes to control things remotely, you’ll love the fact that you can control connected devices from anywhere with the Kasa Smart app. You can even power up your office or holiday lights from the app.
Finally, this power strip also supports voice control. You can remotely control your smart plug and use voice commands with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana. This is a convenient way to control your devices without having to get up from your couch or desk.
All in all, this smart power strip is a great choice if you want to control your electronics, protect your devices from power surges, monitor your energy consumption, and control everything from your phone or voice assistant.
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