Sky is continuously developing new technologies that reduce the power required by our products. In fact, the power consumption of our standard Sky digibox has been halved since it was first launched.

Experts estimate that Sky boxes account for about 1.5 per cent of home electricity use, although different boxes have different electricity requirements, depending on their level of functionality. Sky+ and Sky+HD boxes use slightly more electricity but provide significantly greater functionality.

All our Sky boxes use less electricity in standby, and can still record programmes in this mode, so you can leave your Sky box on standby when you are not using it.

Sky is the only media company to have signed up to the voluntary EU Code on Energy Efficiency in Digital TV Service Systems and our products' low emissions are beneath even the recommended levels. Your Sky box uses 30-50% less power when it is in standby mode, compared to being left on.

To reduce the amount of electricity you consume, remember to put your Sky box onto standby by pressing the standby button on your Sky remote control or the front panel of your Sky box. The light on the front of your box should go from green to red.

Do not unplug your Sky box or switch it off at the mains, or your TV Guide programme schedule won't be kept up to date and any recordings you have set up won't go ahead. A Sky+ box can record two programmes at the same time whilst in standby mode.