DVRs turn out to be energy hogs

Like the traditional family hearth, home DVRs put out heat as their hard drives spin spin spin. But any appliance that generates heat also eats up electricity.

Click on this link to read a Sarasota Herald Tribune (6-26-11) article about the surprising energy consumption of DVRs. European countries have mandated that, in order to save energy, DVRs go into standby or deep sleep modes when not recording. But Americans are apparently too impatient to wait for their DVRs to come out of standby. Their DVRs stay on continually, even when not recording or playing back a program. The article reveals that DVRs can consume as much energy as a refrigerator. Do you believe the government should take action to reduce this needless use of electricity or it the responsibility of consumers to encourage manufacturers and cable providers to take this step?