Unless you're a night owl, Sky has unveiled a new option on its cable boxes that will help save you from using too much energy. A new feature automatically puts the box in standby mode if there is no activity for two hours during the 11 PM - 4 AM time period.

The new feature comes at a time when the country is trying to cut down on unnecessary energy usage. The update will hit about 2 million UK subscribers within the next few months. According to reports, this could help reduce the country's cabon dioxide emissions by as much as 32,000 tonnes a year.

"What's great about this is that the consumer doesn't have to worry about remembering to turn it off standby as Sky has built the functionality into the product. This is a welcome step and shows how seriously Sky takes it responsibility to the Environment," said Energy Saving Trust representative Frances Galvanoni.

By Eric Raby

Via Pocket Lint