How much electric do remote control sockets use?

jennimoo

I was planning on getting one of these remote control sockets so I could be lazy and turn TV on in the morning from bed, without leaving TV on standby all the time, but my husband pointed out that this would use some power, and he wasn't sure if there was actually any saving.

I've googled and can't find any info on what energy they use, but wondered if anyone had looked in to it, or tested it with one of those energy meter things.

Mr_Oink

I wonder if they use about as much as a TV on standby ? I don't know for sure, but the circuit running the IR detector is probably going to have a similar current consumption. I could dig one out and stick a clamp meter on it and see if it picks it up.

KingL

Get 2 extension leads, plug one end into the wall, one into the other and the tv into the second one. Position the "join" near the bed and just plug/unplug it at will. Also works with those 4 gang extension leads that have switches to save on all that tiresome plugging/unplugging.

edit: btw, you can get power consumption checkers for about £6. Get one, do a sweep of all your gadgets, then sell it to your neighbour..

linky

.

Mr_Oink

You should also make sure the 4 gangs don't have neons in them to save the juice they use too. It's minuscule, but none the less it's a waste.

KingL

I've googled and can't find any info on what energy they use

I posted a question about it for this one... I guess it will show up when they answer it...

jennimoo

One of the ones I was looking at on Maplin before I posted had a question about how much it used and they were a little vague! Hopefully yours will get a proper answer, I will keep an eye on it!

kwikbreaks

I've just stuck one in a plugin power meter and it read 1w. This is comparable with a modern TV but some of the older ones could use a fair bit more and you may well have more stuff plugged in so it could save a little.

I use one behind the TV in the spare/guest/grandkids room as there is a TV DVD Wii and Freesat box all plugged in and it is more convenient to just click the one control to turn off the lot and neater than a trailing connector which would certainly be the cheapest option..

KingL

KingL wrote: »

I posted a question about it for this one... I guess it will show up when they answer it...

They emailed me back - about 1W apparently....

Iconic

In case anyone's interested Asda still have these for £5 http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/remote-control-sockets-3-pack-5-00-/717114

I think they are great but I cannot work out why they give you three sockets and one remote. I have got the sockets in three different rooms but the remote is never in the right room when I need it!