Are smart power bar strips worth it?

Total phantom power can be substantial for things like a home entertainment system with several components such as a television, speakers, cable box, and DVD player, and a smart power bar can save a significant amount over time.

What is a smart power bar?

Smart power bars are outlet strips designed to conserve energy. They typically have a couple of plugs that are ‘always on’ another group of plugs on a sensor that will turn off power to those plugs when the devices plugged in there are off. This helps eliminate phantom power consumption, which is the power that electronics consume when on standby or turned off.

Do power strips use electricity when off?

Many different devices can be plugged into a power strip, and if devices are plugged in, they will continue to use electricity. Smart power strips will automatically cut off electricity to devices and save energy.

What is the point of a smart power strip?

A smart power strip automatically shuts off electricity when devices are not in use, reducing power consumption and your energy bill. Most power strips also come with surge protection keeping your electronics safe.

In-Depth Product Guide

Smart Powerbar

FAQs

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Also called a smart powerstrip, a smart powerbar has some of its power outlets automatically controlled to shut off when they are not needed. This reduces standby power consumption.

Smart powerbars come with many different features - number of outlets, which ones are on all the time, and which are automatically shut off. Some even have a remote. Look for a power bar that meets your needs.

Standby power, also known as 'phantom load' or 'vampire power' (Yikes!) can be using up to 5% of the electricity in your home. It's things like TVs, computers, and other equipment that use power all the time, even when they are switched off. A smart powerbar gives you the option of automatically shutting down those items completely without having to unplug them, saving on your energy bill and reducing your greenhouse gas emissions.

Patents for power bars existed in the United States as long ago as 1929.