Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2011 > August > 02 > Entry
Your DVR is an energy hog
The DVR is, quite possibly, the best invention EVER.
OK, slight exaggeration. But these bad boys have changed the way we watch TV. No more sitting through commercials. No more appointment viewing. It’s whenever, wherever … and it’s freakin’ awesome.
In fact, there’s not much of anything I watch live these days, aside from local news.
But consumer guru Clark Howard reports the convenience DVRs provide comes at a price. Turns out they’re serious energy hogs, using up more power each month than a 42-inch plasma TV — or even your refrigerator.
Howard estimates some DVR models could tack $15 — or more — onto our monthly electric bills. Why’s that, you ask? Well, they never really turn off.
Hit the power button, and the DVR goes into standby mode, which uses almost as much juice as when it’s on.
His advice, though, isn’t exactly practical for most. Unplugging your DVR when you’re not at home means it can’t record your favorite shows. And that, of course, is why we’ve got these fantastic devices in the first place.
Oh, well.
Catch Clark Howard’s show 8 to 11 p.m. weekdays on 590 KLBJ-AM.
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