Published By: Marc Edwards | Last updated on March 19, 2024 and reviewed by Sean Hudson
Saving energy isn’t just about cutting bills. To some people, it’s about making a positive impact.
Surge protectors, a staple in safeguarding our electronic devices, have evolved beyond just protecting from power surges.
They are the smart choice for those looking to protect their devices, reduce energy consumption, and save money in the long run.
This guide will showcase how energy-saving surge protectors work, their benefits, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a homeowner looking to cut costs, or someone passionate about reducing your carbon footprint, understanding what to look for in an energy-efficient surge protector is the first step forward. 💪🏼
What Are Energy Saving Surge Protectors? How Does it Save Energy?
Energy-efficient surge protectors are eco-friendly and will save you money.
Besides protecting your devices and appliances against nasty power surges and spikes, they make shutting down the power to peripheral devices (monitors, speakers, printers, etc) connected to your computer hassle-free.
By flipping a master switch, electrical power will be shut off to devices that are plugged into those ‘energy saving’ receptacles.
This prevents nasty power suckers like phantom loads from sucking away power while your devices and appliances are still plugged in after use.
Some energy-saving surge protectors cut the 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 are able to extend the lifespan of your electrical devices.
How to Calculate Your Potential Energy Savings
Step 1: Identify Your Devices
List all the devices you plan to connect to the energy-saving surge protector.
E.g. TVs, computers, gaming consoles, and home theater systems.
Step 2: Determine Wattage
Find out the wattage of each device.
This information is usually available on the device’s power supply, user manual, or manufacturer’s website.
If only the amperage (amps) and voltage (volts) are provided, calculate the wattage by multiplying them (Watts = Amps x Volts).
Step 3: Estimate Usage Hours
Estimate how many hours per day each device is actively used. How many hours it remains plugged in but not actively used (standby mode).
Step 4: Calculate Daily Energy Consumption
For each device, calculate the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh), both for active use and standby mode.
Use the formula: kWh = (Wattage x Hours of use per day) / 1000.
Step 5: Factor in the Surge Protector’s Efficiency
Energy-saving surge protectors reduce the energy consumed during standby mode.
Assume a conservative efficiency rate (e.g., 70% reduction in standby power consumption).
Adjust your standby mode calculations accordingly.
Step 6: Calculate Savings
- Without Surge Protector: Add up the kWh for all devices, including full standby energy.
- With Energy-Saving Surge Protector: Add up the kWh for all devices, factoring in reduced standby energy consumption.
Compare the two totals to find your daily savings. Multiply by 365 for annual savings.
Step 7: Consider Your Electricity Rate
Find out your electricity rate per kWh from your utility bill.
Multiply your annual savings in kWh by this rate to estimate your monetary savings per year.
Example Calculation:
- Device: Gaming Console
- Wattage: 120 watts active, 30 watts standby
- Usage: 4 hours active, 20 hours standby per day
- Without Surge Protector: (120W x 4h + 30W x 20h) / 1000 = 1.2 kWh/day
- With Surge Protector (70% savings on standby): (120W x 4h + 30W x 20h x 30%) / 1000 = 0.68 kWh/day
- Daily Savings: 1.2 kWh – 0.68 kWh = 0.52 kWh
- Annual Savings: 0.52 kWh x 365 = 189.8 kWh/year
- Monetary Savings: If your electricity rate is $0.12/kWh, then 189.8 kWh x $0.12 = $22.78/year per device.
Buying Guide – What Energy Saving Features to Look For?
If you have decided to invest in energy-saving surge protectors, be aware that they are NOT the same as their non-energy-saving counterparts.
Number of Energy-saving Outlets
Although this will vary depending on individual home and office requirements, we generally get one with more “auto-switched” sockets than the “always-on” ones.
Always-On Outlets
This is a must-have if you have electrical appliances that need to be powered on 24 by 7. E.g CCTV, Internet Router and so on.
Few additional features
- 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
Who Should Buy One?
Tech-Savvy Households: For families with numerous gadgets, computers, entertainment systems, and smart home devices, energy-saving surge protectors are indispensable. They not only safeguard expensive electronics from power surges but also minimize standby power consumption, ensuring that your tech-savvy lifestyle is both safe and energy-efficient.
Eco-Conscious Consumers: Individuals committed to reducing their carbon footprint will find energy-saving surge protectors align perfectly with their values. These devices help trim down unnecessary power usage, contributing to a greener planet by reducing overall energy consumption and promoting sustainable living practices.
Budget-Minded Families: Households looking to tighten their belts will appreciate the dual benefits of energy-saving surge protectors. By reducing the energy wastage associated with phantom loads from appliances and electronics, these devices can lead to noticeable savings on electricity bills, making them a practical choice for budget-conscious families.
Where to Buy Energy Saving Surge Protectors
Online Retailers
Online marketplaces and electronics retailers are convenient options for a wide selection of energy-saving surge protectors.
Websites like Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and Walmart offer a range of products from various brands, allowing you to compare features, prices, and customer reviews.
Shopping online also often provides access to detailed product specifications and comparison tools to help you make an informed decision.
Manufacturer Websites
Purchasing directly from the manufacturer’s website can be a great way to ensure authenticity and access to the latest models.
Brands like Belkin, APC by Schneider Electric, and Tripp Lite offer energy-saving surge protectors with detailed product information, warranty details, and customer support directly from the source.
Home Improvement Stores
Retail chains such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards stock a variety of surge protectors, including energy-efficient models.
Shopping in-store lets you see the product firsthand and often get advice from knowledgeable staff. These stores also frequently run sales and promotions, providing money-saving opportunities.
Eco-Friendly Stores
For those specifically looking for eco-friendly options, look out for stores and websites dedicated to sustainable living that offer energy-saving surge protectors.
These outlets focus on products that are not only energy-efficient but also made with environmentally friendly materials and practices.
Our Best Pick and Recommended Eco-Friendly Surge Protector
Tripp Lite 8 Outlet Eco-Surge Protector Power Strip (TLP808NETG)
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 major power surges and voltage spikes.
Unlike other energy-saving surge protectors, TLP808NETG has 6 diagnostic LEDs to help indicate potential wiring problems and unforeseen suppressor damage.
If you wish 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.
Do check out our more thorough review of TLP808NETG before getting one.
6 Popular Energy-Efficient Surge Protectors
Below is a list of 6 energy-saving surge protectors our team has carefully curated from hundreds of surge protectors in the market.
Besides being energy efficient, these surge protectors are equipped with great features. They also have 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 learned about this Bits Limited LCG-3MVR surge protector and 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 can 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 gives 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? This device helps minimize wastage, so you’re not using excess energy and losing money.
The Advanced PowerStrip has built-in ceramic-encased Metal Oxide Varistors. This surge protection 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 of less than 40 dB. It’s an all-around great device that makes a difference in energy use and electronic 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. 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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