There was an interesting show on Myth Busters about leaving lights on. Yes there is a savings if you turn off and then turn on a florescent lamp within a few seconds. Otherwise turn it off, that saves $$. The Direct TV box depends if it has volatile memory or not. Just like your computer. The BIOS in your computer still works even if the computer is shut off. That memory is non-volatile. That's something I would have checked when I didn't have much stored in it. My camera has non-volatile memory, but the Sony portable radio doesn't. I have one minute to change a run down battery, or I have to reset the time, date, etc. Jim Ussailis Original Message: ----------------- From: Lynne Rudié lynnerudie at verizon.net Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:03:37 -0400 To: ussailis at shaysnet.com, hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net, bobbimelville at gmail.com Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] what uses electricity when it is plugged in? > Next question: The guy who installed our DirecTV > setup told me that it shortens the life of the > units if you keep unplugging them. The power > needed to "power up" negates the power you saved > by turning them off. Is there any truth to this? I think it would depend on how often you use the unit you are unplugging. If it's something you use everyday then you should probably leave it plugged in. And make sure that your DirecTV receiver won't lose what you have stored in memory or need to reacquire your satellite settings if you unplug it. Lynne Lynne Rudié Graphic Design 413.863.9406 lynnerudie at verizon.net -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com Enhanced email for the mobile individual based on Microsoft® Exchange - http://link.mail2web.com/Personal/EnhancedEmail