I’m an environmentalist, but the numbers on the chart don’t add up. Consumer Reports estimates the average household uses about $100/year for standby energy, but then again, when I searched the source for this article, “2005 Intrusive Residential Standby Service Report: Energy Department”, it turned up as an Australian study, not an American one. And my call to the magazine was met with less than enthusiasm. I was told I would get a call back, as the person I need to talk to was ” just now going in a meeting”…holding breath……

I’m an environmentalist, but the numbers on the chart don’t add up. Consumer Reports estimates the average household uses about $100/year for standby energy, but then again, when I searched the source for this article, “2005 Intrusive Residential Standby Service Report: Energy Department”, it turned up as an Australian study, not an American one. And my call to the magazine was met with less than enthusiasm. I was told I would get a call back, as the person I need to talk to was ” just now going in a meeting”…holding breath……