More than 40% of homes have video game console systems, and many of those devices remain on constantly.  In fact, gaming systems use more than $1 billion worth of energy a year, which is enough to power a major city for year.

The easiest and most effective way to save energy is to TURN OFF and UNPLUG the device when it’s not being used.  Interestingly, a study found that most systems use nearly the same amount of power in idle mode as when they are actually being played. Turning them off could save gamers about $100 a year.

So what’s the most energy efficient video game system?
The Wii uses only 16 watts of energy while in active mode. The Xbox uses 119 and the Playstation uses 150. In fact, an Xbox or a Playstation 3 left on 24 hours a day for a year uses as much energy as two large refrigerators.

If you have a Playstation or Xbox, you can minimize the energy use of these consoles by accessing the auto-power down option. Watching a Blu-Ray movie on the Playstation 3 uses 5 times more power than watching it on a standard Blu-Ray player.

ENERGY STAR, the government-backed group that rates many products for energy-efficiency, is now in the process of researching the energy consumption of gaming devices and setting standards for manufacturers who want to earn the ENERGY STAR certification.

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