Turning off appliances, lights and equipment when not in use saves 2 percent. Turning off computers, printers and other equipment you're not using and putting them to sleep when you step away for 15 minutes, saves 1 to 2 percent. The computer is responsible for easily as much as 1,000 kilowatt hours a year. Ditto for other appliances not in use. Unplug, because they're still drawing energy.
Cable boxes are really bad.
All these are tiny things but the typical home has 20 more of these devices that continue to use power when they're turned off. Each is insignificant but multiply by 20 and it becomes noticeable. It's almost 10 percent of your bill. He pointed to a New Zealand study that found that in one-third of homes, microwaves cumulatively used more energy while off than while on. Pay attention to other small things.