Almost all electrical appliances use some electrical power even when the appliance is not in use. The United States Department of Energy estimates that 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the devices are turned off. Seventy-five percent! Yikes . . . that’s a huge percent we can easily prevent! Such a useless use of energy is a hit and run on the planet, but assault and battery on your wallet.

For good reason number three on the Live Earth pledge is:

1. Change four light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs).
2. Shop for the most energy efficient electronics and appliances possible.
3. Shut off energy and lights when not using them.
4. Ride public transit or carpool one of more times per week.

It’s easy to shut off your lights when you leave the room, but unplugging and replugging all ___(insert large number here) of your electronic devices is a nuisance. If you want to get your exercise shuffling around unplugging every alarm clock, charger, TV, VCR, and cable box then be my guest. But I make it easier on myself by plugging neighboring electronics into a surge protector.

A surge protector/power strip with an on/off mechanism makes turning off my electronics just as easy as turning off my lights. When I leave for the day I just give the on/off switch a tap with my foot and it’s all good.