Environment

The eco-switch saves energy – including your own

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The eco-switch is a simple and inexpensive energy-saving device that lets you relocate the power point switch to a more convenient spot
The eco-switch is a simple and inexpensive energy-saving device that lets you relocate the power point switch to a more convenient spot
Simply plug your appliances into the eco-switch, then plug the eco-switch into the wall
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June 8, 2009. We all know we should turn off appliances at the wall to reduce fire risk as well as our carbon emissions, but the truth is most of us can't be bothered or think to flick the switch. The eco-switch could be the answer: it’s a simple and inexpensive energy-saving device that lets you relocate the power point switch to a more convenient spot where you can turn multiple appliances on and off – with the flick of a single switch.

There's little more to the eco-switch than simply plugging appliances into it, then plugging the eco-switch into the wall outlet. When the eco-switch is turned on, so are the appliances. When the eco-switch is turned off, your appliances are off too.

According to the switch's makers, the reduction in standby power can save users more than US$80 a year and prevent 1.5 tons in greenhouse gas emissions – to say nothing of the energy saved moving from power point to power point, turning off switches.

The eco-switch is a finalist for the 2009 Next Big Thing award and is undergoing electrical safety testing. You can vote for it at Next Big Thing.

Eco-switch's developers are inviting the public to provide ideas on how the eco-switch can save energy. Here's one: a woman wrote in saying she would have to get out of bed in the cold, go around to her husband's side of the bed when he fell asleep and turn off his reading lamp. With the eco-switch, she saw a chance to avoid it by taking charge of all the switches in the bedroom.

Karen Sprey

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2 comments
Simon White
How is this different from remote controlled adapters that plug into the wall and have a remote handset? I've had one at home for years, four outlets can be controlled from one remote. Each outlet can handle about 1500W which is good for anything asides from cookers and washing machines and such...
Ed
Huh? I think that this is called a "power strip", or perhaps an "extension cord" I have several dozen in my house... I can see though that this flimsy wire will not handle the current of multiple appliances and I can see many fires and lawsuits against the developer when people plug their toaster, coffee maker and microwaves into this single cord plug only to have the thing burst into flames! HaHa! Eco-nazi's!