Comments on: 8 Ways to Easily Reduce the Energy Consumption of Your Computer – and Save Big Money http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:40:50 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mike http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-435323 Mike Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:37:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-435323 There are many ways people can live off the grid by using solar energy. Finally as energy costs are going up the government is handing out more subsidies for solar energy. You can find a lot of info on solar energy and living off grid http://www.hardysolar.com There are many ways people can live off the grid by using solar energy. Finally as energy costs are going up the government is handing out more subsidies for solar energy. You can find a lot of info on solar energy and living off grid http://www.hardysolar.com

]]> By: k12linux http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-249261 k12linux Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:56:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-249261 For a home server, consider something like a LinkSYS NSLU2. They can be had for around $50. Add one or two USB drives and you have a file server that runs on 2-10 watts. It has two USB ports and a network port. If it doesn't have the features you want and you are reasonably computer savvy you can install Linux on it. The disks can be set to spin down when not in use making this a really low-power option for a home server on the network. For a home server, consider something like a LinkSYS NSLU2. They can be had for around $50. Add one or two USB drives and you have a file server that runs on 2-10 watts. It has two USB ports and a network port.

If it doesn’t have the features you want and you are reasonably computer savvy you can install Linux on it.

The disks can be set to spin down when not in use making this a really low-power option for a home server on the network.

]]> By: Mary http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-247115 Mary Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:13:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-247115 The car quesion raises a good point. I have found that I use less gas when I leave it running to run into the store, post office, etc. It seems like the act of starting it up wastes gas. I have also noticed this on road trips. If I stop at a rest area to stretch/walk around and leave the car running I have to fill up less than I would if I had turned it off even once. And I'd like to get a clear answer once and for all on the computer issue. I have heard from a reliable source (computer nerd) that shutting down/starting up the computer sends an electric shock to the hard drive and can fry it over time. I have been told that it is really more economical to leave it running or put it on hybernate mode, even with the new/er computers. Interestingly enough, I have noticed that when I am out on the road, I get less time on my batery when I select hybernate instead of shutting it down several times. I guess you have to weigh the constant use of power against the extra boost of power that occurs at startup but I really like Jillian's comparison to turning off the car when sitting in traffic. The car quesion raises a good point. I have found that I use less gas when I leave it running to run into the store, post office, etc. It seems like the act of starting it up wastes gas. I have also noticed this on road trips. If I stop at a rest area to stretch/walk around and leave the car running I have to fill up less than I would if I had turned it off even once. And I’d like to get a clear answer once and for all on the computer issue. I have heard from a reliable source (computer nerd) that shutting down/starting up the computer sends an electric shock to the hard drive and can fry it over time. I have been told that it is really more economical to leave it running or put it on hybernate mode, even with the new/er computers. Interestingly enough, I have noticed that when I am out on the road, I get less time on my batery when I select hybernate instead of shutting it down several times. I guess you have to weigh the constant use of power against the extra boost of power that occurs at startup but I really like Jillian’s comparison to turning off the car when sitting in traffic.

]]> By: garry http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-245302 garry Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:17:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-245302 With the recent hikes in Electricity prices in the UK, I’m going to fight back by implementing some of these ideas, which I don’t already use. good, sound advice. With the recent hikes in Electricity prices in the UK, I’m going to fight back by implementing some of these ideas, which I don’t already use. good, sound advice.

]]> By: Kati http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243738 Kati Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:37:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243738 Trent you should try out the program CO2 Saver. Its a very simple program to DL and install. "CO2 Saver is a lightweight program that manages your computer's power usage when it's idle, saving energy and decreasing the demand on your power utility." You control the settings for how long your computer is idle before CO2 Saver kicks in. http://co2saver.snap.com/ Trent you should try out the program CO2 Saver. Its a very simple program to DL and install.
“CO2 Saver is a lightweight program that manages your computer’s power usage when it’s idle, saving energy and decreasing the demand on your power utility.”
You control the settings for how long your computer is idle before CO2 Saver kicks in.

http://co2saver.snap.com/

]]> By: Jillian http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243734 Jillian Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:27:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243734 "That was true for very old computers because they used to draw a very large charge during startup. Modern computers (since, say, the early eighties) draw about the same power during startup as during normal use." An almost but not entirely unrelated question for you: Do you turn your car off at the traffic lights or in traffic jams if you know it's going to be several minutes before you're moving again? “That was true for very old computers because they used to draw a very large charge during startup. Modern computers (since, say, the early eighties) draw about the same power during startup as during normal use.”

An almost but not entirely unrelated question for you:
Do you turn your car off at the traffic lights or in traffic jams if you know it’s going to be several minutes before you’re moving again?

]]> By: Jamie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243730 Jamie Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:21:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243730 Where can I get a smartstrip? Ever since your first mention of them, my husband and I have been looking for one and we haven't been able to find one. Thanks! Where can I get a smartstrip? Ever since your first mention of them, my husband and I have been looking for one and we haven’t been able to find one. Thanks!

]]> By: Beth@Paydaytree http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243588 Beth@Paydaytree Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:36:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243588 I always find CO2 numbers interesting. It blows my mind to think that I am polluting just by leaving my computer on when I'm not around. Thanks for all the wonderful energy saving ideas. I think I'll be getting one of those smart strips for my home computer set up. I always find CO2 numbers interesting. It blows my mind to think that I am polluting just by leaving my computer on when I’m not around.

Thanks for all the wonderful energy saving ideas. I think I’ll be getting one of those smart strips for my home computer set up.

]]> By: Beth@Paydaytree http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243585 Beth@Paydaytree Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:32:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243585 How interesting to think about the CO2 emissions that computers put out. I am always looking for small ways to benefit the environment ... this was full of wonderful ideas! Thanks you! How interesting to think about the CO2 emissions that computers put out. I am always looking for small ways to benefit the environment … this was full of wonderful ideas! Thanks you!

]]> By: michael http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243391 michael Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:07:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243391 'Put your laptop charger on a timer' -- fantastic suggestion! Can you recommend a timer, tho? I got one from Home Depot way back (a cheap one, for lamps when I'm out of town) and it sucks -- hard to set and not reliable. Does anyone make a decent digital, easy-to-set charger that you could recommend? ‘Put your laptop charger on a timer’ — fantastic suggestion! Can you recommend a timer, tho? I got one from Home Depot way back (a cheap one, for lamps when I’m out of town) and it sucks — hard to set and not reliable.

Does anyone make a decent digital, easy-to-set charger that you could recommend?

]]> By: Otis http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243371 Otis Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:49:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243371 For those of you using iMacs (or looking for an excuse to upgrade to one). There is no significant reason to turn off an iMac. The power consumption in the sleep state is a measly 2.7W. If you're using a Mac, there's really not much reason to ever turn them off. Unless you want to save the 2.7W. Unless of course those 0.0065 cents/day really bug you, then by all means turn it off. For those of you using iMacs (or looking for an excuse to upgrade to one). There is no significant reason to turn off an iMac. The power consumption in the sleep state is a measly 2.7W.

If you’re using a Mac, there’s really not much reason to ever turn them off. Unless you want to save the 2.7W. Unless of course those 0.0065 cents/day really bug you, then by all means turn it off.

]]> By: Mary http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243297 Mary Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:31:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243297 Joel, the kilowatt hour is the individual unit that your electric company bills you for (I assume most of these co's bill this way). It could be akin to a cell phone where they give you X kilowat hrs per month for a flat rate; mine is 100 KWHs for $7~$8/month. So if you get 100 minutes on your cell phone and you go over by X minutes, they bill you for each additional minute. Mine bills about 15 cents per KWH. You could call your electric co. and ask if they have a publication, such as an "energy guide". Mine sent it to me for free. It's really handy for calculating the estimated use of an appliance. It also gives you a list of things stove, lightbulbs, etc. and the estimated cost for the normal use. Here's the equation: 1. Write down the wattage of the appliance in question. 2. Divide that number by 1000 (1,000 watts = 1 KWH) 3. Multiply the kilowatts by the number of hours you use the appliance. This could be for the day or month. 4. Multiply the total number of KWH used by the price per KWH. So if a 100 watt light bulb is left on 120 hours a month, that would be 12 KWH per month and cost about $1.75 Hope that helps clarify what Trent's talking about! Joel, the kilowatt hour is the individual unit that your electric company bills you for (I assume most of these co’s bill this way). It could be akin to a cell phone where they give you X kilowat hrs per month for a flat rate; mine is 100 KWHs for $7~$8/month.

So if you get 100 minutes on your cell phone and you go over by X minutes, they bill you for each additional minute. Mine bills about 15 cents per KWH.

You could call your electric co. and ask if they have a publication, such as an “energy guide”. Mine sent it to me for free. It’s really handy for calculating the estimated use of an appliance. It also gives you a list of things stove, lightbulbs, etc. and the estimated cost for the normal use.

Here’s the equation:

1. Write down the wattage of the appliance in question.

2. Divide that number by 1000 (1,000 watts = 1 KWH)

3. Multiply the kilowatts by the number of hours you use the appliance. This could be for the day or month.

4. Multiply the total number of KWH used by the price per KWH.

So if a 100 watt light bulb is left on 120 hours a month, that would be 12 KWH per month and cost about $1.75

Hope that helps clarify what Trent’s talking about!

]]> By: 1WineDude http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243053 1WineDude Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:12:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243053 Great suggestions. Not sure I'd call it big money though - unless of course many, many people implement them (might as well dream big after all! :-). Great suggestions.

Not sure I’d call it big money though – unless of course many, many people implement them (might as well dream big after all! :-).

]]> By: Ryan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-243038 Ryan Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:44:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-243038 I would say that increased hard drive usage from starting the computer up every day is minimal at best. Recent hard drives are built to last so I don't think you have anything to worry about. Bakednudel, That battery will die eventually on every computer. All it does is keep the clock going and remember some BIOS settings. You can include the cable modem on that...but if you have another computer networked, then it won't have internet access when it's turned off (obviously) I would say that increased hard drive usage from starting the computer up every day is minimal at best. Recent hard drives are built to last so I don’t think you have anything to worry about.

Bakednudel,

That battery will die eventually on every computer. All it does is keep the clock going and remember some BIOS settings. You can include the cable modem on that…but if you have another computer networked, then it won’t have internet access when it’s turned off (obviously)

]]> By: bakednudel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-242973 bakednudel Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:16:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-242973 This is all confusing to me too. I have a 4-year-old eMac and our Mac User Group has always said to leave it on all the time. It goes into sleep mode of course. I also have (my first ever) an external hd plugged into the computer which I guess is drawing power. The first Mac I had at home (about 12 years ago) -- I unplugged it a lot (thunderstorms, leaving for trips, etc.) and the computer's little internal battery died. Again the guy who fixed it said not to turn it off. I like the idea of having a separate strip for the peripherals--but can you really include the cable modem on that? my computer is in my bedroom, and as someone else said it would be great to lose the blinking lights all night. This is all confusing to me too. I have a 4-year-old eMac and our Mac User Group has always said to leave it on all the time. It goes into sleep mode of course. I also have (my first ever) an external hd plugged into the computer which I guess is drawing power.

The first Mac I had at home (about 12 years ago) — I unplugged it a lot (thunderstorms, leaving for trips, etc.) and the computer’s little internal battery died. Again the guy who fixed it said not to turn it off.

I like the idea of having a separate strip for the peripherals–but can you really include the cable modem on that? my computer is in my bedroom, and as someone else said it would be great to lose the blinking lights all night.

]]> By: Greener Pastures: Responsible Personal Finance http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-242933 Greener Pastures: Responsible Personal Finance Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:24:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-242933 Great ideas! Another little one: I leave my computer on all the time (it powers down), but always shut off my monitor whenever I'm not using it. Lisa Great ideas! Another little one: I leave my computer on all the time (it powers down), but always shut off my monitor whenever I’m not using it.

Lisa

]]> By: gr8whyte http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-242762 gr8whyte Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:12:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-242762 An IT person told me it's better not to turn PCs off at night because the daily spin down and spin up is harder on the HD than if they were left spinning all the time. Any truth to this? An IT person told me it’s better not to turn PCs off at night because the daily spin down and spin up is harder on the HD than if they were left spinning all the time. Any truth to this?

]]> By: Young Investor http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-242711 Young Investor Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:50:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-242711 You know these are some really great tips. It really reminds us of the concept that its the small things that matter. In fact that is something that i have noticed over this blog. You are always talking about the small things that you can change in your life today that will dramatically change your life in the future. But i think that its so important! I mean that is really what success is about. So thanks for sharing. Young Investor http://www.investmentrealty.blogspot.com You know these are some really great tips. It really reminds us of the concept that its the small things that matter.

In fact that is something that i have noticed over this blog. You are always talking about the small things that you can change in your life today that will dramatically change your life in the future.

But i think that its so important! I mean that is really what success is about.

So thanks for sharing.

Young Investor

http://www.investmentrealty.blogspot.com

]]> By: tracy ho http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-242703 tracy ho Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:36:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-242703 Those are brilliant ideals , Thanks for sharing with us , Tracy Ho wisdomgettingloaded Those are brilliant ideals ,

Thanks for sharing with us ,

Tracy Ho
wisdomgettingloaded

]]> By: Emily http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/comment-page-1/#comment-242644 Emily Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:36:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/16/8-ways-to-easily-reduce-the-energy-consumption-of-your-computer-and-save-big-money/#comment-242644 My question is, does anyone know how to program exceptions for scheduled tasks. I would love to have my Media Center shutdown at 2am (it has a wonderful feature built into the motherboard that turns it on again at 9am) except when it is recording something. Periodically, we record movies or late run shows early in the morning so as not to disturb our regular schedule. But using shutdown.exe, it goes off regardless of whether or not Media Center is recording. My question is, does anyone know how to program exceptions for scheduled tasks. I would love to have my Media Center shutdown at 2am (it has a wonderful feature built into the motherboard that turns it on again at 9am) except when it is recording something. Periodically, we record movies or late run shows early in the morning so as not to disturb our regular schedule. But using shutdown.exe, it goes off regardless of whether or not Media Center is recording.

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