Energy Savings
The U. S. Department of Energy says that a large majority of us spend at least one day a week working from home – using a multitude of electronics. Here are a few ideas to consider when updating your home office, or for that matter, your “office” office.
- Experts tell us that laptops use less energy than desk tops. Get one. Even in an office, laptops are a positive alternative.
- Selecting energy-efficient office equipment and turning off machines when they are not in use can result in significant energy savings. If the computer needs to be left on for some reason, set to sleep mode.
- We all know about ENERGY STAR but don’t always look for appliances and electronics with that label. An Energy Star-labeled computer can save 30%-65% energy than computers without this designation, depending on usage.
- Use the low-power mode. It saves energy and your computer will run cooler. Computers are like little heaters in your office. The more we can do to cool them off the better.
- Use a power strip that can be turned off (or will turn off automatically) when not in use.
- Check out the power management settings on computers and monitors. The right setting can save energy.
And finally, relative to all of our electronics and appliances, the Energy Department gives us this tip that may surprise you. “Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These vampire loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as DVD players, TVs, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.”