Phantom Load…..Questions

Question  
For phantom load, it would be good to have a surge protector with a remote, or programmed to your TV remote, where you shut off the cable box, TV, DVD, stereo and everything else without having to climb behind the TV.  In a new home, it could be hard wired like a light switch – a switch next to the light switch shuts off every plug.  Have you seen any way to control phantom load?  We have five TV’s & I bet a lot of people do. 

Answer
·        Wattstopper  
Saves energy by controlling desktop equipment .
·        Consists of an eight outlet power strip with surge suppression and a personal occupancy sensor .
·        6 outlets on the power strip are controlled by occupancy; 2 outlets uncontrolled .
·        Power strip has lifetime product warranty and a $25,000 connected equipment warranty .
·        About $90. 
·        Smart Strip
·        The Smart Strip Power Strip features advanced circuitry that not only offers excellent power surge protection and line noise filtering, but is actually able to ’sense’ the flow of electrical current through the strip’s control outlet. Because of this unique ability, the Smart Strip can turn off selected equipment when it’s not in use — creating benefit that no other power strip on the market today can offer.

·        About $35. 

You could plug your power strip into an x-10 module and control it with an occupancy sensor, timer or your home computer energy management software.   You can purchase a remote control for your x-10
Hope this helps.