I have several electronic devices around my house that require an AC/DC converter on the power cord, and even when the appliance is off or unplugged, these converters are still running, as evidenced by the heat that they produce.
This heat can get annoying in the summer, and it seems to be a waste of energy. Why not build these converters so that they can tell if the electronic device is drawing energy, then they can only turn on when needed?
The main complication that I see is sensing if energy is being drawn from the converter. The converter would need either a small battery or capacitor that stores a charge while the electronics are turned off, and then allows the converter to detect if current is being drawn. The converter would have to kick in practically instantaneously.
This may seem more complicated than having a wall switch or just unplugging the converter, but those can be pretty difficult also, especially in older houses with awkward electrical systems. Most switches control multiple electrical outlets, and outlets are often close to the floor and behind furniture, so it's difficult to unplug the converter.
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The problem could be solved by moving the converter close to the device it supplies. Current designs incorporate the line plug into the housing of the converter so that the converter itself plugs into the wall outlet. If a separate plug went into the wall and the converter incorporated a rocker switch that interrupted the current into the converter the system would use no energy when the device was not in use.
Can be done, has been done in some equipment, but it costs more and electronics are usually made as cheaply as possible. Same reason the converter is in the plug, it is cheaper than having a separate mains plug and lead.
There are so many low-voltage DC devices around, more than those that need mains AC, that it has been seriously suggested in the trade press in the last few months that houses should be wired with a second set of low-voltage DC sockets, driven from a converter for the house, which would be more efficient and could incorporate such power-saving technology. It would require agreement from the manufacturers to all use the same DC voltage.
Unplug when not in use--saves on electric bill, item remains same price and less thigs to go wrong with it--why not try using hand powered tools--they even work in blackouts too, plus might loose a little weight while using
For higher draw devices, I envision a PSU not unlike an ATX or XBOX360 supply, which has a low power standby supply, and a high power "on" supply, and a logic line which controls the high power supply.
For lower draw items, such a scheme is not worth it.