rEject
One of the products featured in the Greener Gadgets Design Competition, which I wrote about last week, is the Eject Powerstrip. It’s innovation is to add foot pedals along the front—one for each socket—that will eject the plug that is in that socket. The idea is that people will save electricity by unplugging their “vampiric” appliances and devices—those that continue to use a trickle of power while they are turned off. For example, a VCR or set-top-box has a digital clock that continues to display when the device is off. It is suggested that people will unplug things more often if it is easier to do so.
The design is based on the premise that people don’t unplug their devices because:
1. They are lazy
2. They are too old or disabled to bend down
3. Powerstrips are often located in areas they can’t access without accident (i.e. under tables, under drawers)
4. When dealing with cheap powerstrips, unplugging a device usually means that you are giving children an easy access to exposed electrical sockets; so some people find it safer to have the socket obstructed by plugged-in prongs.
I think this design misses the mark in a big way. First of all, let’s look at where I use power strips. I have one behind my TV stand, one behind a large chair, one behind a cabinet, one between a desk and the wall, and one that is behind a bookcase. All of these locations are inaccessible by foot. I have one mounted to the wall beside my workbench in the garage. I obviously wouldn’t need foot pedals on that one. I have two under my computer desk, both of which are all too accessible by foot. I would accidentally press the pedals while sitting at my desk—not good.
Second, let’s think about what I have plugged into my outlets. One has my TV, stereo, DVD player, set-top-box, Wii, and Apple TV. The Wii is the only one of these that gets used infrequently enough that unplugging it would be worthwhile. Even so, I would have to label the sockets to know which plug went with which device. As for the two strips that feed my computer, peripherals, a phone, and desk lamp, once again, there is nothing that I would want to disconnect. My computer is running most of the time, and when not in use, I put it to sleep for quick access. The only time I shut it down is when I’m on a trip. I can’t think of anything that I would actually want to disconnect on a regular basis.
Third, okay, sure, you’ve made it easy to unplug everything, but when it’s time to use it again, I still have to bend over and plug it back in. How is that any less of a nuisance?
I think the real reasons people don’t unplug are:
- It’s inconvenient, not just physically, but from the standpoint of using the devices. They continue to draw power for reasons that people find valuable.
- People don’t care. Maybe it’s due to a lack of education, but people believe the amount of power being used is insignificant, and certainly not worth the trouble.
- Power strips are inaccessible. They are unattractive, and people make a point of hiding them behind or under furniture.
The Eject Powerstrip doesn’t address these issues.