Turning off most modern electronics doesn't stop them from drawing power. Many appliances continue to draw power to be ready to turn on instantly and to receive information from remote controls.

One of the simpler ways to reduce this loss is to plug the electronics into a power strip and turn the power strip off. Several manufacturers are coming up with ways to make this automatic or more convenient.

With the Smart Strip Power Strip, you plug the main device, such as your computer or television, into the primary outlet and related peripherals such as printers or cable boxes into the other outlets. When you turn off the main device, the other devices are also turned off.

Wattstopper Plug Load Control turns devices plugged into it on or off based on occupancy or whether the devices are actually turned on. Belkin's Conserve surge protector features a remote control, making it easy to switch off.