An 'ARE YOU SMARTER THAN AL GORE?' energy quiz

4. What is the biggest expense on your utility bill?

a) computers and electronics

b) heating

c) cooling

d) lighting

Previous answer:

3. Stand-by power – energy consumed by appliances turned off but plugged in – accounts for how much of all US residential energy use?

c) 5 percent

The California Energy Commission notes that stand-by power consumes 5 percent of residential energy use in the US, and can cost the homeowner hundreds of dollars a year. "Don't think that just because you have a gas range it doesn't consume electricity. Many gas appliances have electronic transfomers and microchips and are being manufactured with electronic features such as digital clock displays, LEDs and soft-touch buttons," notes the commission's Consumer Energy Center.

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