When you think about saving energy at home or in the office, what comes to mind? Swapping out old light bulbs for LEDs? Upgrading to ENERGY STAR® appliances? Those are great steps, but there’s another simple solution that often flies under the radar: advanced power strips (APS).
These devices do more than just give you extra outlets. They help you cut down on wasted energy, protect your electronics and even save you money, all without adding extra hassle to your day.
What’s the purpose of an advanced power strip?
Every home and office has “phantom loads” – devices that keep using electricity even when they’re in standby mode. Think gaming consoles, chargers and printers. It might not seem like much, but all those little energy leaks add up over time.
An APS is designed to prevent that waste automatically. Instead of unplugging everything each time you’re done using it (which nobody wants to do), these strips cut power to devices when they’re not in use. It’s a simple way to make your space more energy-efficient without changing your habits.
How do they actually work?
Power-saving APS devices are broken out into tiers, tier 1 and tier 2. Both APS tiers use smart technology to figure out when your devices need power – and when they don’t. Tier 1 APS models include:
- Master-control outlets: Plug-in your main device (like a TV or computer) here. When the main device turns off, the APS knows to cut power to other connected devices.
- Controlled outlets: These are for accessories like speakers, printers or gaming consoles. They shut off automatically and stop using electricity when the master device powers down.
- Always-on outlets: These outlets are for things that need constant power, like your Wi-Fi router.
- A tier 2 APS includes additional hands-off controls with timers, motion sensors or remote controls.
It’s basically energy-saving on autopilot.
APS in action
- Office setup: Imagine you’ve got a desktop computer, monitor, printer and speakers. When you shut down your computer, the APS automatically powers down the monitor, printer and speakers. Not only is everything powered down, but none of these devices are sneakily using electricity – no more wasted energy.
- Entertainment center: Your TV is the master device, your gaming console and soundbar are plugged into controlled outlets and your Wi-Fi router is plugged into an always-on outlet. When you turn off the TV, your gaming console and soundbar shut off – but your Wi-Fi stays on. No more phantom power draining your wallet.
The benefits you’ll notice
- Lower energy bills: Cutting phantom loads can help cut costs without lifting a finger.
- Convenience: No more crawling under desks, moving furniture or setting reminders to unplug devices.
- Device protection: Many APS include surge protection to keep your electronics safe.
- Eco-friendly: Less wasted energy means a smaller carbon footprint.
Common misconceptions (and why they’re wrong)
“It’s just a fancy power strip.”
- Nope! Regular strips only give you more outlets and maybe some surge protection. APS actively manage energy use while offering surge protection.
“The savings aren’t worth it.”
- If you have multiple electronics, the savings add up fast, especially over a year.
“They’re hard to set up.”
- While tier 2 APS are a little more involved to set up, tier 1 APS are mostly plug and play once you get the right devices plugged into the right outlets – refer to the diagram below for examples of how to set up yours. You’ll spend more time deciding what to binge-watch than setting one up.
Ready to start saving?
APS are easy to use and make a real difference for your wallet and the planet. And here’s the best part: we offer rebates that help make them even more budget-friendly!
Check out our available rebates and start saving energy and money today.
