Abstract: The electrical energy consumed by digital receiver systems (e.g., direct-broadcast-satellite (DBS) receiver systems) that are continuously operational either in a standby mode or, alternatively, in an active mode is significantly reduced by deriving a feedback signal, in response to a signal received by the receiver system when operated in its standby mode, that defines a measurable system-performance value (e.g., bit-error-rate status value) that is a function of the value of the system's energization. Such significant reduction is accomplished by employing a memory and microprocessor for effecting the reduction in the value of standby-mode energization to that certain value at which the measurable system-performance value is at least an acceptable system-performance value which is significantly below a maximum system-performance value.