An "easy button" to save energy

How many of us leave our computers on when we step away? Do we think about how much energy that is wasting? With one click a European company wants to help lessen our carbon footprint along with saving us money.

The Eco Button is a plug-in USB device. When you take a phone call or step away from your office you can just press the button and your computer goes into an ultra low powered sleep mode that only uses 1.8 watts. This is a bit of an improvement over a traditional sleep mode of 3 to 5 watts. Just press the button again and your computer will instantly start right where it left off. The device shuts down everything except for essential memory.

Software can be downloaded to let you know how much electricity, carbon, and money you are saving by using the device.

The device can be bought currently at http://www.eco-button.com and is going for 15 pounds which is about $28.00. Some U.S.-based Best Buy stores were giving these devices away a few weeks ago to Reward Zone members that showed up for an after-hours sale. So it is safe to say that Americans will soon be able to press the button to go green.

Would you use it if you had it on your desk?

Christopher Piatt Associate Producer CNN Science & Tech