energy/computer question

[Shantimama]

Is it better to leave the computer off most of the time but turn it on 2 or 3 times a day when it is needed (work/school related) or to turn it on in the morning and leave it on standby throughout the day?

For business reasons I need to check in a few times a day - early morning, midday and late day/evening. I use it for schoolwork myself during the day sometimes and sometimes my kids use it for homework. I am just wondering what is the most energy conscious approach - I haven't got a clue.

[nonconformnmom]

It's better to turn it off and turn it on only when needed.

By the way, I recently learned that 75% of the average electric bill is due to appliances being always on "standby". Whenever an appliance is plugged in, it draws some amount of power continuously. Things like refrigerators and ovens and such cannot really be unplugged when not in use; however, anything that can be physically unplugged, like tv's, stereos, computers, etc. will save money and energy if they are on a power strip that can be turned off or simply unplugged.

I've been interested in this topic, lately. I also learned that using a laptop creates half as much carbon emissions as using a desktop computer. So I am switching to exclusive laptop use. See the green computing guide for more info.

[dvons]

There is an ecellent article about the PP here:http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1130/p13s01-sten.html

[melissel]

WOW! I've been contemplating this very issue all day today. Thanks for the info!

[traceface]

what if you have your computer hooked up to one of those power surge protectors - does turning that off (the off/on button) do the same thing or do you have to actually unplug the surge protector from the wall, too?

[nonconformnmom]

Turning the power strip off is sufficient.

[melissel]

One other question--this was discussed here once before and someone posted that turning a computer off and on every time puts heavy wear and tear on the something or other. Is that so? I can't remember the exact detail, some kind of connector (that narrows it down, huh? ). My laptops are so monstrously old and I rely heavily on them for work. I can't afford to run them into the ground anymore than they already are!

[nonconformnmom]

From the link I posted earlier:

You Can Turn Your Computer Off!
The common misconception that a computer’s life is shortened by turning it on and off has led some to leave computers on all the time. Others are reluctant to switch their computers on and off a couple times during their workday despite only using this equipment for a fraction of that time.

Desktop computers are designed to protect the internal circutry from power damage from on/off switching. Turning PC equipment off at night or on and off a few times a day will not appreciably affect its useful life. Electronic equipment life is a function of operating hours and heat — both these factors are reduced when equipment is switched off. Modern hard drives are designed and tested to operate reliably for thousands of on/off cycles.

[Vellorian]

Originally Posted by melissel

One other question--this was discussed here once before and someone posted that turning a computer off and on every time puts heavy wear and tear on the something or other. Is that so? I can't remember the exact detail, some kind of connector (that narrows it down, huh? ). My laptops are so monstrously old and I rely heavily on them for work. I can't afford to run them into the ground anymore than they already are!

The only thing it affects is the power supply, which is rated for a minimum of 30,000 cycles (one on/one off). At 3 cycles a day (on/off, on/off, on/off) it will last 10,000 days or 27.4 years. If you're still using the same computer after five years, you've outlasted it's basic technology!

Turn it off and save the power. At 300 watts (most PCs are thusly rated), you're burning about (depends on a lot of factors) $.05 - $.10 per hour that it's on.

Leaving it on 24 hours a day will cost you a minimum of $1.20 a day or $438 a year.

[melissel]

Oh. My. God. We have three laptops, two of which remain perpetually on (because they take SOOOO long to load, and I work on them off and on all day) and one that's on standby perpetually.

Thank you again. I didn't see that first link, only the CSM one.

I repeat. Oh. My. God.

[Shantimama]

We were visiting family last week and I was surprised to see how many people left their computers on ALL the time - I thought they might know something we didn't. I should have known better - thhese are the same people who had their furnaces set to 73* round the clock and when the weather was nice over Thanksgiving, they just opened some windows to cool things off - without touching the thermostat. These are highly educated people. Go figure.