The 21st century is the age of the computer. Overwhelmingly indispensable, computers have become a staple to the daily lives of nearly everyone of any age, for a number of reasons. This age has also introduced another kind of revolution: the growing global awareness and response to the climate change emergency.
Considering the computer’s significant energy usage, and the need to reduce energy consumption to secure a safer environment, the world faces a paradox of mind-blowing proportions, with the only solution being to find ways to conserve energy without doing away completely with the essential computer functions and uses.
With this, below are some suggestions on what we may call “green computer usage”:
- Enable power-management
When leaving your computer idle (but not turned off), enable the built-in power management system to minimize energy use. This would allow your computer to go into low-power mode after a period of inactivity, cutting back on power usage and (electrical spending).
Screensavers function to prevent monitors from burning due to extended use. This staple feature does so by projecting a blank screen, usually with animation. The animation, however, is merely for entertainment purposes; the swiveling lines are merely monitor eye-candy that contributes to increased, unnecessary energy consumption.
Furthermore, screensavers were created to protect the phosphorescent coating inside monochrome monitors, which are rarely used today.
At this point, your options are (1) disable your screensaver, or (2) simply turn off your computer monitor before leaving it in idle mode.
This is a very basic tip that is applicable not just to your computer, but to any other electronic device in your home.
After using your computer and its peripherals – printers, speakers, web cam and scanner – switch them off, and unplug them. Doing so will help prevent damages on your equipment, not to mention extra spending on electricity consumption.
If you are more inclined to simply putting your computer in sleep mode for short breaks, you may do so. And as an added bit of info, it is recommended that computer monitors be put in sleep mode every 20 minutes, and the system every 30 minutes.
Paper usage should also be reduced, the simplest way being to print on the opposite side of the paper.
However, a more recent solution created by computer developers is the EcoFont, which uses 20% less ink when printed.
Before spending on a new computer, consider upgrading the hardware in your current computer. Either a RAM (memory) or a new a hard drive is all you need to restore life to your computer system.
- Buy Green
Photo courtesy of Ecogeek.
When buying a computer and its peripherals, keep an eye out for those that come with the least amount of plastic packaging. Look for the “Energy Star” labeled products.
Also, instead of buying computer desktops, try notebooks; they consume 50% less electricity. Dell has taken a very proactive step towards the development of a green line of computers. According to Green-pc, “The new Dell green PC is a bamboo-coated computer filled with recycled materials (ex. recycled plastics such as: milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles). The Bamboo-computer uses 70% less energy than the average computer and is 81 percent smaller than the standard desktop. The size makes it easier, less costly and more eco-friendly to ship.”
Finally, if possible, purchase an extension on your computer warranty in order to avoid simply throwing your computer in the trash once a major repair is needed.
Instead of tossing your old computer to a landfill, consider a more earth-friendly manner of PC disposal by e-cycling (recycling of electrical components).
But before doing so, make sure that your computer will be stripped down locally in safe, environment-friendly conditions.
By recycling, you can minimize non-biodegradable waste production, and the imminent problem of having too many landfills in your area.
