Building Sustainability
How to save energy on your computer
Computer equipment is the fastest growing electric load in the business world. Unfortunately, much of the energy associated with computers is wasted because PCs are often kept on in full power mode while not in use.
Computers and monitors are used more intensively than most other office equipment, but on average are actively used barely half of the time during the day. Studies have shown that, in non-energy aware work places, a significant proportion of computers in offices are left on overnight and on weekends.
Switch it off !!
The cheapest and most effective way to reduce the energy consumption of any piece of equipment is to switch it off when it's not being used. In the NT, turning off your computer after hours and on weekends can save up to $105 and 425 kg of carbon dioxide per year for each computer.
Many computers and related equipment still use energy when they appear to be switched off. Switching all equipment off at the power point ensures no energy wastage after hours.
It is a common misbelief that turning computers on and off all the time uses more power and damages the hard disk. This is NOT true. See our facts & fantasy page for more information.
"It
is now safe to turn off your computer"
After hours audits have found PC's are left on in this state and consuming 105W as if they were fully active. Ensuring that computers are turned off will save approximately $105 a year per computer.
Activate Energy Star Features
 How to activate Energy Star functions on your computer |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA launched the Energy Star program which encourages the production and purchase of office equipment products that save money and reduce pollution by eliminating wasted energy.
Energy Star compliant office equipment go into sleep mode after a period of inactivity when these features are activated. The Energy Star functions generally have to be activated and can be set to enter stand-by and sleep modes at a range of different times. "Wake up" times vary depending on the operating system and speed of the computer, but are generally only a few seconds.
| Typical PC energy use levels and wake up times | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Energy use | wake up time |
| On - active | 95 - 105 W | 0 seconds |
| Screensaver | 95 - 105 W | 1 second |
| Low power stand-by | 45 W | 2-3 seconds |
| Shut off monitor | 38 W | 2-3 seconds |
| *all measurements are based on the average of computers tested by BSS | ||
If you do not have energy star functions (eg. Windows NT users), switch off your monitor when you can. Switching off the monitor while not using the computer will make a big difference and does not disrupt normal work practices.
BSS has measured the power consumption of various items of office equipment.
Energy consumption of office equipment
An easy to use power meter is available should you want to check the actual power consumption of your equipment. This meter and further information on ways to save energy can be obtained from BSS.
De-activate screen savers
Screen savers do NOT save energy. Instead of setting your computer to have a screen saver come on after a period of inactivity, why not set it to shut down the monitor and save some energy?
See our facts & fantasy page for more information.
Your benefits
- Saving money. The money saved can be used to provide better service, more training to staff, upgrading equipment etc.
- Improving the performance of your computer. Activating the Energy Star functions and turning off your computer during long periods of non-use can extend the life of the computer.
- Making your working environment more comfortable. Computers with Energy Star functions activated tend to be quieter and generate less heat than conventional systems and this also leads to cooling energy reductions.