Computers & Office Equipment
- Shut down computer monitors and save money at night and on weekends
- Use software to automatically power off workstations
- Turn off photocopiers during off-hours
- Look for the ENERGY STAR® label
- Specify 80 PLUS power supply when ordering computers
- Consider using laptop computers
- Purchase necessary equipment only
Shut down computer monitors and save money at night and on weekends
Shutting down all computers and monitors when not needed can save significant amounts of energy each year.
If your computers must be left on after-hours, turn off the monitor. This will not affect the programs you are working on. Monitors consume over 75% of the total energy required to run a computer. Also, screen savers do not save energy - complex screen savers actually increase energy use.
Use software to automatically power off workstations
Install ENERGY STAR LAN-based activation software to turn off workstation monitors connected to your network when they are not in use.
Turn off photocopiers during off-hours
Operating photocopy equipment efficiently will reduce energy use by 25% or more. Consider:
- Setting the copier to the energy-efficient setting
- Turning off the copier at night
- Putting the copier on a timer that will automatically shut it off
Look for the ENERGY STAR label
ENERGY STAR software used to enable "sleep mode" on PC monitors can save $10/year per monitor -approximately 170 kWh/year/monitor. The ENERGY STAR label indicates that the manufactures of these machines have met energy-efficiency requirements established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Specify 80 PLUS power supply when ordering computers
80 PLUS means that your computer power supply is at least 80 per cent efficient or greater at various load thresholds and is power factor corrected. On average, an 80 PLUS certified power supply saves 88 kWh per year in a computer and 280 kWh per year in a server.
Consider using laptop computers
When available, choose to work on a laptop rather than a desktop computer. Laptops provide you mobility and use 50% or less energy than the average desktop unit.
Purchase necessary equipment only
Consider purchasing a combination printer/fax machine/copier as using one machine instead of three will reduce energy usage.
