Forced to update to incompatible controller software?

You're missing my point. My actions cut down my electricity bill. This is a real gain that I can calculate. The other consideration is pure speculation.

You're missing my point. My actions cut down my electricity bill. This is a real gain that I can calculate. The other consideration is pure speculation.

Well maybe I did miss your point. If your entire goal is to merely cut down on your electricity bill with no concern for overall environmental impact, then you are correct in your decision. However, it didn't seem like that was your entire goal when you chastised others for not doing the same for their bill, it really seemed you were talking more globally than your own personal energy costs. If that is not the case, then I apologize.

I'm doing both, obviously.

I'm doing both, obviously.

Then I guess I didn't miss the point after all. 😉

Yes, you did. I save money and reduce my energy consumption, compared to saving an unknown (and in practice unknowable) amount of resources from lengthening the life of my equipment by an unknown amount.

Hey have you seen Leonardo Dicaprio "before the flood"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGsRcxaSAI
Seems if we stopped eating beef and changed to chicken, we may have a chance, due to methane from cow burps!!...who knew...

The cost of the z sockets and their expected lifespan somewhat ameliorate any perceived waste of money in energy consumption. Add in environmental cost of their production then just how much does it cost to leave on 24/7. Around 5 years to recoup the energy cost?

There is always balance and checks in such decisions.

Why this idea that the standby energy consumption is wasted? In cooler climes it heats the house, offsetting other energy costs.

Yes, you did. I save money and reduce my energy consumption, compared to saving an unknown (and in practice unknowable) amount of resources from lengthening the life of my equipment by an unknown amount.

Again, you have no way of knowing that you reduce your overall energy consumption, any more than I do by leaving it on. Your energy bill is less, that is a fact. However, overall energy consumption (and environmental impact) is as unknown for me as it is for you. I assume my overall impact is reduced by leaving it on, based on accepted science, and estimations of reduced lifespan coupled with energy/environmental costs of manufacture, replacement, and disposal. You estimate the overall impact is reduced due to your own guesses of the same. So if you believe you are globally reducing energy consumption as well as personally, that belief is based on just as much conjecture as mine. Again, you are saving on your electric bill, that is a fact. That you are reducing any global energy use is very much up in the air. The facts just may be that by leaving it on and spending more a month, your overall impact is less.

Why this idea that the standby energy consumption is wasted? In cooler climes it heats the house, offsetting other energy costs.

Exactly. It is far more complicated than "Lower electricity bill == Good for environment". It's never a one-to-one relationship. After all, electric cars are claimed to be great for the environment, but I guarantee their owner's electric bills are sky high from charging that car up every night.