Help Save the Environment With Your Computer

support.com Offers PC Users Energy Saving Tips

October 16, 2007: 08:02 AM EST

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program estimates that you can save up to $75 per year by activating the power management functions on your desktop computer(1). support.com, a remote tech support service which helps consumers get relief from frustrating computer problems, offers tips to consumers to help them save both energy and money by reducing the power consumption of their computer.

Whether you use a desktop computer or a laptop computer, the two things that you can do to save the most energy are:

1.  Turn your computer off completely when you know you will not be
    using it for more than several hours, such as overnight.
2.  You can still save energy when your computer is not shut down
    completely by setting the power management functions on your computer
    to put both your monitor and computer (CPU, hard drive, etc.) into
    "sleep" mode after a certain amount of time of non-use, which saves
    energy when you are not actively using your computer. Set your monitor
    to go into standby mode first, followed by your computer.

Keep in mind that even if you have set the power management functions on your computer, there are some things which will prevent your computer from going into sleep mode. Use the following guidelines to make sure your computer is properly sleeping:

1.  Certain applications, such as some games and third-party software,
    will run in the background and prevent your computer from going into
    sleep mode. Be sure to close these down completely.
2.  If you use a virtual private network (VPN), disconnect it when you're
    not actively using it, since VPNs can prevent your computer from
    entering into sleep mode.
3.  Some applications which continually scan can prevent your computer
    from going into standby mode. Shut off Wi-Fi antennas and infrared
    ports when you are not using them to prevent this from happening.
    Anti-virus software can be set to scan more periodically yet still
    be safe.
4.  Some Web sites will not allow your computer to enter into sleep mode
    because of active advertisements and banners. Close down all Web pages
    when you are not viewing them to allow your power management function
    to work properly.
5.  If you have set a screensaver (like that fish tank) for your monitor,
    you may not realize that it is actually wasting energy by preventing
    your computer from going to sleep. A blank screen is the best
    screensaver so let your computer go to sleep to save energy instead
    (it won't sleep with the fishes).
6.  Peripherals, which are plugged into your computer, can also prevent
    your computer from going into standby or "sleep" mode. Unplug your
    peripherals when they are not charging or synchronizing.

Don’t limit your energy savings to just your monitor and computer. Other things you can do to help save energy in your computing use include:

1.  Increase your memory (RAM) to reduce disk usage, which can be a power
    draw.
2.  If you have a desktop computer, upgrade to an LCD flat panel monitor
    instead of a CRT monitor, which can account for half the energy use of
    a desktop computer. According to the EPA, the use of an ENERGY STAR
    qualified monitor can save up to 85% of the electricity used by a
    standard model.
3.  Did you know that the power supplies for your peripherals (such as
    your mobile phone or iPod) still draw power even if the peripheral is
    not plugged in? If you plug all your electronics into one surge
    protector, you can easily switch them all off when you leave the room
    or go to sleep.
4.  Shut off that printer. Printers also have a sleep mode that still
    consumes a significant amount of power.
5.  Replace wireless mice and keyboards with wired mice. Wired mice and
    wired keyboards use relatively little energy and they avoid unnecessary
    wasting of batteries.