Energy-saving IT
15 Feb 2007, Lara Williams, Computing
http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/analysis/1859636/energy-saving-it
- A computer left on 24/7 will cost about £37 a year, whereas switched off at night and weekends the charge can be reduced to about £10 a year – and save an equivalent amount of energy to make some 34,900 cups of coffee.
- A photocopier left on overnight uses enough energy to produce more than 1,500 copies.
- Lighting an office overnight wastes enough energy to heat water for 1,000 cups of tea.
- A typical window left open overnight in winter will waste enough energy to drive a small car more than 35 miles.
- A PC monitor switched off overnight saves enough energy to microwave six dinners.
- Turning off all non-essential equipment in an office for one night will save enough energy to run a small car for 100 miles.
- A compressed air leak the size of a match head wastes enough energy in a working day to toast 444 slices of bread.
- As much as 30 per cent of energy in the UK is wasted, costing businesses millions of pounds each year.
- Monitors account for almost two-thirds of a computer’s energy use.
- Office equipment is the fastest-growing area of energy use, accounting for up to 20 per cent of total energy use. The remainder is accounted for through heating, lighting, hot water, cooling and ventilation, catering and refrigeration.
- The Carbon Trust recommends all businesses take steps to activate power-saving modes on PCs, monitors, fax machines and photocopiers – and install timers on printers, vending machines and water coolers to ensure they are not left on overnight or at weekends.
- Timers are relatively cheap and can save up to 70 per cent on energy costs. Source: Carbon Trust
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