Solution to the energy crisis (and incidentally, global warming...)

[jhetley]

Noticed that the backup power supply retains a warm spot on the top, even when turned "off".  Symptom of a universal problem in modern electronics -- "off" does not mean "off."  Computers, TVs, printers, game sets, electric toothbrush chargers -- those things still eat electricity when you aren't using them.  Why else do you think the TV remote can turn it "off" and "on"?

Parasitic power -- electricity used when the unit isn't actually doing what you bought it for.

We'd save a few billion KWH per year worldwide if consumer electronics actually did turn off.  Only way you can do it now, is to have a power strip outboard of the unit to provide that switching function.  Or flat-ass unplug the bastards.

(Also, how many of you dear readers remember 'way back when "Instant On" TV sets got implicated in a rash of home fires?)