Topic: Leaving PCs on overnight wastes billions in energy costs, study says

[sam]

well duh!

The computer you're reading this on may not seem like a huge energy waster, but the power consumption adds up when joined by the other PCs worldwide (Stamford, Conn., research firm Gartner estimates there are more than 1 billion). A study released last week puts a finer point on this assertion, reporting that U.S. workers waste $2.8 billion annually in energy costs by failing to shut off their PCs at the end of the work day. What's more, machines left on during off hours may emit up to 20 million tons of carbon dioxide (C02) this year alone, roughly the equivalent impact of four million cars.

http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=leaving-pcs-on-overnight-wastes-bil-2009-03-30

[Clive]

Just how many watts does  a modern computer consume?  I always turn mine off if I'm going out for a few hours and it's always off overnight.

[Rik]

I've never measured, Clive, but my monitor is, iirc, about 200w, and the box has a 900W PSU.

[Clive]

That's a lot of electricity Rik!  I hadn't realised they were so power hungry!   

[Simon]

I only have mine on when I'm using it, otherwise it's switched off.  The only time I leave it on overnight, is if I'm downloading something, and even then, it's set to shut down when the download finishes. 

[sam]

most people would be able to cope with a much lower powered machine - like the eeepc desktops which really can be run off solar panels. its only if you play heavy games, or do lots of intense processing work that you need such monsters. Oh saying that Vista does not help.

[Rik]

 

I'm saying nothing on Vista...