Researchers at Bradford University are investigating how solar and hydrogen energy can be used to save power in homes across the country.

The aim is to produce a device which could use alternative forms of energy to power the huge array of household goods which people leave on standby, such as televisions, video recorders, stereo systems, computers and microwaves.

The work is in its infancy but Dr John Baruch, head of the university's department of cybernetics, internet and virtual systems, said it was hoped it would lead to the production of a device which was commercially viable.

The standby function on electrical appliances is responsible for an estimated six per cent of the UK's domestic electricity consumption.

Staff at the university were inspired by the Government's support for the Kyoto agreement, which aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions and reduce global warming.

"People are being encouraged to use less electricity, electricity companies are looking at alternative ways of providing power and even car manufacturers are developing vehicles that run on hydrogen," said Dr Baruch.

"The beauty of the hydrogen is that when it burns it just gives off water. There's no carbon dioxide. We decided to look at what we could do to help.

"We're looking at some sort of device which could provide the energy for household goods instead of them running off the mains when they are on standby."

The device would need to be 'interchangable" so that electrical goods switch over to mains power when they are in use.

Researchers are also looking at how both solar panels and hydrogen systems could be used in such instances.

In terms of energy saving, Dr Baruch believes any such domestic device could pay for itself within three or four years.

"This is about coming up with something that people want, that they would be quite happy to put in their homes," said Dr Baruch.

Initial talks have already been held with industry organisations which could be interested in the work taking place at Bradford.

Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: "While it's fantastic to hear about the research Bradford University is doing to cut the amount of energy we waste on the standby function, we'd like to discourage everybody from using it at all to cut our electricity bills and protect the environment."