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Computers
Computers and laptops
Computers and laptops have become as ubiquitous in the home as any other appliance. And just like any other appliance, they waste a lot of energy if left on when not being used.
Quick Links:
What are my options?
How to buy?
Energy-Saving Tips
How much can I save?
What are my options?
Laptops are more efficient than desktops, and newer processers tend to use less energy than older ones.
How to buy?
Look for ENERGY STAR labeled computers and consider the size of the monitor – larger monitors consume more energy.
Energy-Saving Tips
Many factors affect the energy use of a computer. More energy is consumed by an active computer, rather than one on standby or sleep mode. Expect to use more energy if you are using the internet or other heavy use (video games, etc) than simply using email or word processing software.
Certain myths must be debunked. Screen savers do not save energy, as the computer is still on and running. Unlike older computer models, frequent shut-downs do not harm modern PCs, and start-up energy is small compared to the cost of leaving a computer idle. If a computer is left idle, it is still consuming the same amount of energy as if you were using it, so be cautious of your habits.
Set your computer to the automatic “shutdown” mode rather than the screen saver mode., (i.e. shut your computer off)
For monitors: if the period of inactivity is longer than 20 minutes.
For computers: if the period of inactivity is longer than 60 minutes.
The above set of rules also applies to the automatic setting for “sleep” mode, which should be activated rather than screen savers
Use laptops rather than desktop computers, providing a 50% reduction in energy.
How much can I save?
A desktop computer that is turned on 24/7 consumes about $115 to $160 worth of energy a year. During that period, it would emit 1500 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, which can contribute to negative health outcomes for you and for others.
A computer’s energy use can be calculated by this formula:
Multiply the watts by the hours used, and divide the total by 1000. Multiply the result by the cost of kilowatts per hour to find the total cost.