Cooperative Extension Energy Saving ProgramHome Energy Savings
  
 
 
Computers

What you can do:

  1. The easiest way to save energy with your computer is to shut it off when not in use.
  2. Activate power management features on your computer.  Rather than using a screensaver put your computer into Sleep mode after just a few minutes of inactivity.  Check out Energy Star's instructions on how to activate power management features on your computer.
  3. Use a power strip so you can turn off all your computer accessories at once.  Smart power strips automatically cut power to accessories when you turn your computer off.   
  4. When buying new computers always buy an energy star model

Savings:

Shutting off the computer and monitor: The savings can be up to $120/year if a computer is used for 8 hours a day but left on all 24.

Setting Sleep Mode: The savings will be less than if it was just shut off but can still reach nearly $100/year.

Learn more on our Energy Vampires page.


 
How-To Guides

Videos:

TV-Computer Expenses
Daily, monthly and annual costs of running TV and Computer. (30 sec. WMV video, 4MB)

PDFs

When to turn off personal computers (PDF, 12 KB)