" Turning a hi-fi system on and off puts enormous stresses on the internal components, reducing their life expectancy and resulting in a poorer performance. "
Sunday 4 February 2007
By Russ Andrews
Russ Andrew urges
AUDIOPHILES TO OFFSET THE CARBON EMISSIONS GENERATED BY USING HI-FI SYSTEMS
Respected audio guru, Russ Andrews has long advocated leaving hi-fi and home cinema systems switched on at all times to improve the musicality of the performance. Now Russ has discovered an easy way to offset the resulting carbon dioxide generated and is recommending it to music lovers as a way of reducing the environmental impact of their passion.
Turning a hi-fi system on and off puts enormous stresses on the internal components, reducing their life expectancy and resulting in a poorer performance. On average it takes around 24 hours for a system to settle down and perform to its best after being switched on. Leaving it on improves the sweetness and clarity of the system – something all audiophiles strive to achieve; and increasing the life expectancy lengthens the time before the product needs to be recycled. The cost in extra electricity usage is small; however there will inevitably be an increase in CO2 output as a result.
Russ has made calculating the resulting carbon emissions and understanding how to offset it easy by recommending an organisation dedicated to such a role:
Climate Care, brought to Russ’ attention by a customer, use the donations made to fund projects around the world that avoid, reduce or absorb greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. For example, they provided 9,800 low energy light bulbs to schools in Kazakhstan, reducing CO2 emissions by 980 Tonnes. Replacing a LPG stove in an Indian school with a biomass cooker saved 39 Tonnes per year and reforestation projects in Uganda help to absorb the CO2 that we produce.
Power consumption figures (in watts) are usually quoted in the equipment handbooks and it is a simple calculation to obtain an annual kWh figure. A CO2 calculator on Climate Care’s website (www.climate-care.org) works out the amount of CO2 produced and advises how much it costs to offset the emission. Payment can then be made via credit card on the site.
For example, one typical hi-fi system examined has a power consumption of 41.86 watts, which results in an annual consumption of 368kWh. This equates to 0.16 Tonnes of CO2 per year, which would cost £1.19 to offset.
Commenting on the launch of this initiative Russ Andrews, managing director, said:
“I am a firm believer in the need to leave hi-fi systems switched on to maximise their performance benefits, but this inevitably has a detrimental impact on the environment in terms of electricity use. Every one of us has a responsibility to the environment and now, through the work of organisations like Climate Care, it is possible for us to still fully enjoy our music and movies whilst doing our bit to offset the impact that the electricity consumption has. And this can be achieved for less than 5p per week. I would urge music lovers everywhere to consider taking this important step to help our planet.”
More information on leaving systems switched on and how to offset the CO2 emissions can be obtained at www.russandrews.com/environment
Ends. No embargo
© Red Sheep Ltd. 26 January 2007
Media contact: Phil Hansen 07813 893525, phil@redsheep.co.uk
Notes to editors
Russ Andrews Accessories is a Hi-Fi and Home Cinema company, founded in 1986.
Based in Cumbria, UK, the company designs, manufactures and despatches many of its products from its Kendal Headquarters, employing 16 people. The product range includes Hi-Fi and Home Cinema mains cables, interconnects, speaker cables, supports, accessories and Hi-Fi equipment. As well as manufacturing their own Russ Andrews brand products, Russ Andrews Accessories are the sole UK distributors for the well-regarded US specialist cable company - KIMBER KABLE. They also sell Sennheiser headphones, Vita Audio radios, and selected Meridian products.
Russ Andrews Accessories product range has been built up since 1986, with many products designed by Managing Director Russ Andrews, who has over 30 years experience in the Hi-Fi industry. Russ originally started out as a Hi-Fi dealer, becoming a Research and Development consultant for several major British manufacturers, before setting up his own company.
External Link: www.russandrews.com/environment
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