A recent study has confirmed what you may not have thought about: that video game system or flat panel TV uses a lot of power, even in standby mode. A modern plasma TV consumes more than four times that of a traditional analog set. Leaving your Sony Playstation running will use more than five times the power of your refrigerator!

The report advised that consumers should turn off electronic devices at their source and not with a remote control. Leaving devices in standby mode - laptops, TVs and DVD players - is a huge drain on electricity.

Unplugging electronics while they're not in use is a simple and effective way to cut fossil fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions!

While we're at it, there's also this cool device called the Kill-A-Watt. It's an electricity usage monitor that can also double as a high quality power strip/plug extension in a more high tech version. The $25 basic Kill-A-Watt P4400 measures the precise power consumption of any device that plugs into a wall - and in any mode ('on', standby, charging, etc). This is a great way to see which appliances and gadgets in your home contribute most significantly to your monthly power bill and your fossil fuel use. It even has a 'dollar calculator' that converts power use patterns to actual costs - no math needed.