putting a switch on the plugs in my house?

[MTBikerTim]

That really depends on the TV. Some of the older tv's with standby really did suck the power (some of the not so old ones as well). The new ones will suck almost nothing in standby mode.

BrianG It's hard to believe but I have seen a demonstration with 2 Plasma displays where they were both running and drawing a similar amount of power. They were both Soft powered off and one panel dropped to a ridiculously small amount of power consumption as expected the other though dropped to about 70% of it's old consumption. It was amazing. Both plasmas were from the same company (no bias there) and just 6 months between models.

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by MTBikerTim

That really depends on the TV. Some of the older tv's with standby really did suck the power (some of the not so old ones as well). The new ones will suck almost nothing in standby mode.

BrianG It's hard to believe but I have seen a demonstration with 2 Plasma displays where they were both running and drawing a similar amount of power. They were both Soft powered off and one panel dropped to a ridiculously small amount of power consumption as expected the other though dropped to about 70% of it's old consumption. It was amazing. Both plasmas were from the same company (no bias there) and just 6 months between models.

I'm not sure that I agree with this. I know my Pioneer Elite Plasma draws a ton of power even when off (compared to a CRT). The amounts the plasma's draw was enough to make a coworker of mine refrain from buying one.

The biggest improvements I've been able to make have been the CFL's (compact flourescent lights), and energy efficient appliances. Howver, women tend to not like the light the CFL's put off, so use at your mothers discretion!

I also agree with the earlier statement about not using a circuit breaker. I also wouldnt install a swith for the plugs. To do it correctly, you'd likely spend more than they would save.