Top 5 Household Items That Really Suck (Energy, That Is)

DVICE recently did some research on the top 5 household items that prevent you from doing your bit for the environment. Some are our favorite toys and some well..... we only bring them out when we have chores to do.

Check em out !

No.1 - The 65-inch Panasonic Viera TH-65VX100U

Energy consumption: 575 watts (in operation) !

Green tips: Every other television out there — from LCDs and LEDs to projection TVs — will use less energy. Going for a different set is really your only option here

No.2 - Origin Genesis Gaming PC

Energy consumption: 585 watts (in operation)

Green tips: You probably have your PC plugged into a power strip, right? Well, when you're all done, shut it off to help combat standby power. Other than that, either use your machine less (a huge bummer), invest in different parts to lower its power consumption (a lot of work) or buy a new machine altogether (a lot of dough). Another suggestion? Laptop.

No. 3 - Dyson DC23 Canister Vacuum

 
Energy consumption: 1,400 watts (while on)

Green tips: It's easy to become reliant on a vacuum, but don't forget about brooms and mops for surfaces such as hardwood and tile. Or, hey, maybe buy a vacuum that doesn't require a nuclear reactor to run!

No. 4 - Xbox 360 Elite

Energy consumption: 165 watts (while playing a game)

Green tips: Honestly? Consider a Wii. It sips power. Of course, that means you'll also have to consider playing Wii games, so… you know

No. 5 - Life Fitness Platinum Treadmill

Energy consumption: 2,400 watts* (in use)

Green tips: The guiding principle when buying a treadmill is it'll use 750-1,000 watts per one horsepower. Going for a lower horsepower machine will help keep your costs down. There's another thing you can do, though — run outside. It's free!

*DVICE had to estimate this one, though we found a spec sheet that said the Life Fitness treadmill required a 120 voltage line rated for 20 amps. We'd take this figure as a minimum, though, as the formula in "green tips" would have the Platinum using more.