Bay Geeks Computer Repair Services

Energy Efficient Computing

• Do not leave your computer running overnight and on weekends. Also, wait until you are ready to use it before you turn it on.
• A modest amount of turning on and off will not harm the computer or monitor. The life of a monitor is related to the amount of time it is in use, not the number of on and off cycles.
• Try to plan your computer-related activities so you can do them all at once, keeping the computer off at other times.
• Do not turn on the printer until you are ready to print. Printers consume energy even while they are idling.
• Do not print out copies of email unless necessary.
• If you spend a large amount of time at your computer, consider reducing the light level in your office. This may improve CRT (cathode ray tube) screen visibility as well as save energy.
• Most computer equipment now comes with power management features. If your computer has these features, make sure they are activated.
• The best screen saver is no screen saver at all - turn off your monitor when you are not using it. This option is second best only to turning off your computer all together.
• Use “paperless” methods of communication such as email and fax-modems.
• When typing documents, especially drafts, use a smaller font and decrease the spacing between lines, or reformat to keep your document to as few pages as possible, especially when typing drafts.
• Review your document on the screen instead of printing a draft. If you must print a draft, use the blank back side of used paper.
• Use a printer that can print double-sided documents. When making copies, use double-sided copying.
• Always buy and use recycled-content paper. Look for papers with 50-100% post-consumer waste and non-chlorine bleached. Also, recycle your paper when done.
• Buy a monitor only as large as you really need. Although a large monitor might seem more attractive, you should remember that a 17-inch monitor uses 40 percent more energy than a 14-inch monitor. Also, the higher the resolution, the more energy it needs.
• Ink-jet printers, though a little slower than laser printers, use 80 to 90 percent less energy.
•  Request recycled/recyclable packaging from your computer vendor.
• Buy vegetable (or non-petroleum-based) inks. These printer inks are made from renewable resources; require fewer hazardous solvents; and in many cases produce brighter, cleaner colors.