8 Sep
2010

Hibernate or Sleep – Computer Energy Saving

Posted by Norman Fong

notebook pc

Microsoft’s director of environmental sustainability has stated that “Probably 70 percent of business users leave PCs on at night for various reasons. That’s a lot of wasted energy”.  Consumers need follow the same wasteful route.

Here are some easy tips to save energy with your computer:

  • Turn off the power strip the computer is connected to when it is not being used. Even the new Dell energy efficient computer uses 4 watts when off
  • Turn off the power strip to the DSL or Cablemodem, network router when it is not being used. This will save energy and increase network security. A timer works best.
  • Turn on Energy Saving in your Operating System. Windows 7, XP, and Vista – EPA recommends setting computers to enter system standby or hibernate after 30 to 60 minutes of inactivity.
  • To save even more, set monitors and hard drives to enter sleep mode after 5 to 20 minutes of inactivity. The lower the setting, the more energy you save, just make sure it syncs with your work routine.
  • Windows XP – Select Hibernate if laptop will be inactive for 1.5 hours or more, otherwise use Standby
  • Windows Vista and 7 – Select Hibernate if there will be 2-3 hours of inactivity
  • Climate Savers Power Setting instructions
  • Disable energy sucking Aero and Sidebar user interface candy in Windows Vista and 7.
  • Lower the brightness on your laptops screen and turn off sound.
  • Reduce the number of background applications you run.
  • Turn off Bluetooth, Wifi if they are not needed.

    • Additional Windows 7 Energy Saving Power Management tips. For our Macintosh users, Apple has lots of tips to extend battery life.

    Related posts:

    1. Free Software saves Computer Power – Eco Button Green Computer Energy Saver – Printer Optimization Software
    2. Extend Battery Life, Laptop Battery Life, Smartphone and iPhone Battery Life
    3. Windows 7 and Windows 8 Energy Saving Power Management
    4. Measure Energy Usage with Kill a Watt or Killawatt Energy Meter
    5. What makes a Green Computer or Electronics Product?
    6. How to Make your Business Energy-Efficient
    7. Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Energy Bill
    8. Using a Digital Timer to save Energy

    Filed under: Conservation, Easy, Effort, Electronics, Energy, Green, Money | Tags: , ,

    4 Comments »

    Posted on September 8th, 2010
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    4 Responses to “Hibernate or Sleep – Computer Energy Saving”

    1. Computer Energy Saving Says:
      September 10th, 2008 at 10:50 am

      [...] Go to the author’s original blog: Computer Energy Saving [...]

    2. Free New Software saves Computer Power | Easy Eco Blog Says:
      January 6th, 2009 at 9:28 am

      [...] use a lot of power. We have covered how to save energy on computers in the [...]

    3. Ways to Save Energy, Money on your Utility Bill | Easy Eco Blog Says:
      May 27th, 2010 at 10:09 am

      [...] Set your Mac – PC to sleep or hibernate after of inactivity. There are tutorials on how to do this and free software. Use a smart power strip as wall warts draw power even when nothing is on. No need to buy a new PC or operating system to save power. Also consider installing a Digital Timer to control the smart power strip. [...]

    4. How to Make your Business Energy-Efficient | Easy Eco Blog Says:
      March 23rd, 2012 at 11:05 am

      [...] Ask your workers and to shut down or sleep their computers when they’re not being used. Set your Mac – PC to sleep or hibernate after of inactivity. There are tutorials on how to do this and free software. Use a smart power [...]

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