Standby Buster is a remote-controlled electrical socket that lets you switch off multiple appliances completely rather than leaving them in standby mode.
The first device of its kind to be approved by the Energy Saving Trust, Standby Buster offers an assurance of quality from a trusted source in this ever growing market place. With the equivalent of two power stations of electricity being wasted by equipment left on standby in the UK each year and over three million tonnes of the principle Greenhouse gas, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), produced during the same period, Standby Buster will help eliminate wasted energy consumption and in turn save consumers money. Annual savings from switching off rather than leaving in standby a typical TV, DVD, digital TV receiver and stereo can be about £40 (Which? Report Oct 2006).
Standby Buster requires no installation - it is simply plugged into an existing socket. Because Standby Buster uses Radio Frequency (RF) rather than Infra-Red (IR) to switch off products, it is not impaired by objects in its way. Standby Buster is the first such product to market with an electricity consumption of less than 1 watt. At a price of £14.99 for a single socket and a remote, Standby Buster shows a typical payback in less than 6 months.
Is Standby Buster approved by the Energy Saving Trust?
Yes, Standby Buster is the only product in its class that is recognised by the Energy Saving Trust. To gain this approval, Standby Buster had to pass a rigorous series of tests as laid down by the Energy Saving Trust including demonstrating that it consumed less than 1W.
Standby Buster Kit - Single (IVY-SB1R)
1 x Remote Control
1 x Socket Switch (3000W max each)
What does standby cost?
Each appliance consumes a different amount of electricity when it is on standby. The amount of energy used can be calculated for individual appliances, however, a typical home entertainment stack of TV, DVD, digital TV set-top box, a video recorder and a stereo hi-fi system costs about £40* a year while on standby.
*Source: Which? report : Use less electricity | 05 October 2006
What is the environmental impact of standby?
Norman Baker MP, the Liberal Democrat's environment spokesman in 2005 announced he
had calculated that the CO2 emissions from electrical equipment being left on standby that
year in the UK were equivalent to 1.4 million long-haul flights.
Put another way, the entire population of Glasgow could fly to New York and back again
and the resulting emissions would still be less than that from devices left in sleep mode.
Estimated annual CO2 emissions from devices left on standby:
Stereos - 1,600,000 tonnes
Videos - 960,000 tonnes
TVs - 480,000 tonnes
Consoles - 390,000 tonnes
DVD players - 100,000 tonnes
Set-top boxes - 60,000 tonnes
Source: Energy Saving Trust
It was estimated that in the UK in 2005, 7TWh (thats seven thousand million kilowatt
hours of electricity was consumed by appliances on standby). If that electricity was
produced by coal fired electricity stations, it would consume about 1 million tonnes of coal
or over half of all the coal that is open cast mined in England and Wales.
How many appliances can be connected to each Standby Buster socket?
The Standby Buster socket can have as many devices as are safe connected to it.
Generally you would connect many appliances to the Standby Buster socket using a four-or six-way block. The power rating of the Standby Buster is 3860W so the combined power use of the appliances you connect must not exceed this. You should also check the rated power of your electrical sockets.
What are remote zones?
The Standby Buster remote control has four pairs of ON/OFF buttons numbered 1 to 4. Each of these pairs represents a zone. You can connect as many Standby Buster sockets as you want to each zone so for example you could put you TV, DVD, digital TV box and stereo on zone 1, all of your table and free standing lights on zone 2, the TV and DVD inyour bedroom on zone 3 etc.
How many sockets can I control with my Standby Buster?
You can set up your remote to control up to four individual Standby Buster sockets using buttons 1 to 4 or you can set up zones of Standby Buster sockets with more than one socket being controlled by each set of buttons.
General electrical safety advice
Standby Buster is designed for indoor use only. Standby Buster should be use in dry places and not exposed to high levels of humidity, water or rain. Do not use any electrical itemsin the bathroom unless specifically designed for use there, e.g. shavers and electric
toothbrushes. Even with these items however, take care not to get wet and avoid plugging
and unplugging with wet hands. Appliances present a fire risk if left plugged in or in
standby for long periods of time, they should be unplugged or switched off with a Standby
Buster.