Personal Computers Turn It Off or Standby or Sleep Mode

Personal computers have their obvious benefits, but they also can be big power users. According to one extreme hypothetical example proposed by computer expert Michael Bluejay, a computer could consume 1,752 kilowatt-hours per year, costing more than $300 in electricity bills.

With that in mind, what is the best way to save energy when you’re not using your computer? Should you turn it off, or is sleep mode good enough? How much energy does a screensaver save? And aside from electricity usage, what is optimal for the functioning of the computer?

Understanding Different Energy Saving Modes

“‘Sleep’ and ‘standby’ reduce energy consumption while not powering down completely,” explains Jordana Viuker, an energy-efficiency program manager for a California-based energy consulting firm. “‘Hibernate’ saves your current session as it is and then actually shuts down the computer, saving even more energy. But for maximum efficiency, when you’re not using your computer, it is best to turn it off,” Ms. Viuker advises, lest it continue to draw energy. What? A computer draws energy even when turned off?

It’s true, even when turned off, computers (like most other electrical devices) continue to draw “phantom” energy. Says Ms. Viuker, “leaving any electrical appliance plugged in when it’s in the power ‘off’ position—whether it be your laptop, desktop, or for that matter, television — uses ‘phantom’ electricity.” What to do? “To avoid ‘phantom’ energy usage, turn off and unplug all appliances, including computers, when not in use.”

Power Use in Standby or Sleep Mode

As Michael Bluejay points out, the 0-6 watts used in these modes is insignificant compared to electrical energy used for heating, cooling and lighting, but when you have a house full of electronic devices each drawing small amounts of energy, the costs add up. He suggests that if you want to feel good about saving energy with your computer, you should at least set it to sleep automatically (with the monitor off) after 15-20 minutes. As for the screensaver, Bluejay makes the excellent point that a monitor running a screensaver is a monitor burning energy, between 17-80 watts. Your best option is to just turn it off and unplug it when not in use.

There is also an old debate about whether it is better for extending the life of a computer to leave it on all the time, or to turn it on and off regularly. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says that modern hard drives are not significantly affected by frequent shut-downs (compared to older models) and that it may actually increase the lifetime of the device by powering down on nights and weekends.

Although it is anecdotal, I can say from personal experience that I still use a laptop I’ve had since 2002, almost 10 years. The only hardware that has failed is the battery, and otherwise it runs reasonably well and has been shut down and turned on many times over the past decade.

For more information, check out the US Department of Energy’s website.

Read more on: 

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-great-debate-power-off-or-standby.html#ixzz1hXef5f40

Being green starting from our home...sweet home

Unplugged the electricity
www.earthpm.com

We can do several things below to start the green act and it starts from home,,if you already know about all of these, just consider these as reminder...

• Turn It Off. Turn off lights, lamps, computers, printers, TVs, radios and any other equipment when not in use.
• Unplug It. Many electronics such as TVs, computers, cell phone chargers, electric razors, etc. still use power when they are plugged in. If you have a second refrigerator, consolidate food into one refrigerator and unplug the other.
• Use Natural Light. Whenever the lights are not needed, turn them down would be much better.
• Use a Lamp. If it is possible use the less lighting in the room without turn on too many lights.
• Use CFLs. Replace all frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), which use about 25 percent of the energy that incandescent bulbs use.
• Cover your south-facing windows with light colored shades or blinds to reduce solar heat gain.

Change into the CFLs
bulb

• Air Condition Wisely. If the heat and humidity is too much to be handled through natural ventilation and with the use of fans, then the air conditioner should be used. Set the temperature and close all windows. Turn the A/C off or set the temperature higher when you leave the house.

• Use Fans. Since ceiling fans use only about as much electricity as a light bulb, they use about two percent of the electricity of a central air system.

• Insulate (Insulation is a material or combination of materials which retard the flow of heat. The materials can be adapted to any size, shape or surface. A variety of finishes are used to protect the insulation from mechanical and environmental damage, and to enhance appearance by Ludeman Insulatioan & Supply,Inc.). Whether it is winter or summer, insulation will protect you from wasting unnecessary amounts of energy and keep your home more comfortable.

Insulations
Source: Knauf Insulation

Insulation
http://homebuilding.thefuntimesguide.com

• Take Shorter Showers (i think this is the hardest part ;P). This will not only save on water but it saves on the tremendous amount of energy required to heat water or just use the cold water.
• Wash Dishes By Hand ( to those who has a dish washer). If the dishes wash them by hand. If you insist to use the washing machine, better wait until the dishes could fully load to it.  set it to the low power and low water modes, this could save water and electricity of course.
• Laundry. Do the same to our clothes, wash the clothes when only run full loads. Use cold or warm water instead of hot, which will save on energy. Hang dry your clothes as much as possible. To get that stiff feeling out, throw your clothes in the dryer for five minutes.
• Watering the Plants in the Morning. Water outdoor plants only when necessary and only during the cool part of the morning. When you water during the hottest part of the day, 90 percent of the water can be lost through evaporation.
• Keep The Grass Long. Set your lawnmower to the highest setting to keep your grass longer. Doing so keeps the soil shaded which prevents moisture from evaporating and keeps the grass healthier.

Source:Salisbury University

http://www.salisbury.edu/president/sustainabilityinitiatives/whatcanIdo.html

what to do with our newspapers waste..

Newspaper waste is likely present in our house. Here are some creative ways to reuse the waste, i collected from some sources. Maybe you have already know about it, let's just take it as a reminder. :))

1. To clean windows or glass. Dip crumpled newspaper into water mixed with a splash of white vinegar ( i usually use detergent ;)), and clean those windows up without any streaks or harmful chemicals!

2. Wrap gifts.Try to find cute and colorful pages to use as gift wrap. Below some picture of it. Add some creative theme on it, use the ads or sections in the newspaper, such traveling section, movie ads, etc.

3. As origami paper. Cut the newspaper into squares and get folding! Newsprint is great at holding folds. Just be gentle, since it’s a bit more prone to tearing than store bought origami paper.

4. In the fridge. Keep the bottom of the veggie drawer from getting nasty by lining it with newspaper. It will absorb liquid and odors. It can also be used to wrapped up the vegetable (e.x chilly) to make it stay fresh longer in the fridge.

5. For ripening fruit. If you’ve picked up some under-ripe peaches, avocados, or other fruit, wrap them in newspaper to ripen them more quickly, we paper bags also use as an alternative.

6. Shine on. Give the shine back to your stainless steel sink by gently scrubbing it with wadded up, wet newspaper.

7. Make handmade paper. Grab your blender and turn old newspaper into pretty, recycled paper. Handmade paper is great for making invitations and little cards. You can also mix some seeds into your paper pulp to turn newsprint into recycled seed paper that your recipients can plant!

Nowadays we can find ways to reduce the newspaper waste by reading online newspaper, this is the best way. Maybe to those who prefer the physical newspaper would be a bit difficult to be get used to. Nothing's wrong with put it a try, beside the e-newspaper doesn't costly. :))

Source : Becky Striepe in care2 green living blog and Gloria Dawson in The daily green news blog.