Frequently Asked Questions
Questions:
How much damage can one computer cause?
Is it true that turning off my computer is bad for its hardware?
Don't computers use a minimal amount of energy when they're idling?
Doesn't my screensaver save energy?
My energy use is so small. Does it really make a difference?
How much does it cost to supply electricity to a computer 24/7 for a year?
How much does FAS spend each year on computer energy?
How much can computer energy reduction save FAS in dollars and CO2 emissions?
Answers:
How much damage can one computer cause?
One desktop computer left on all day for one year can result in more than 1500 pounds of CO2 being released into the atmosphere. It would take 100 to 500 trees to offset that amount of extra CO2.
Is it true that turning off my computer is bad for its hardware?
No. Studies conducted at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have found that hard disks are not affected by frequent shutdowns. In fact, your hardware may actually last longer due to reduced heat stress and mechanical wear.
Don't computers use a minimal amount of energy when they're idling?
Unfortunately, this isn't true. Computers use about the same amount of power when they're idling as when they are being used actively. That's about 45 watts for your CPU and 80 watts for your CRT monitor. The CPU draws only slightly more energy when under heavy use, such as when you open an application. Energy management puts you computer and/or monitor into a low-power sleep when they are not being actively used. In this mode, your computer and monitor consume less than 15 watts!
Doesn't my screensaver save energy?
Screensavers do not save energy and may even prevent your system from going into a low-power sleep mode when not in use. Screensavers were developed in order to lengthen the life of monochrome monitors. Technological developments have made them obsolete: they certainly don't save energy or the environment! Disable your screensaver today and replace it with our energy management software.
Doesn't a startup power surge consume so much energy that it makes more sense to keep my computer on all the time?
Not true. Start-up surges are very short and at most consume a few seconds of average running time energy. It makes much more sense to turn your computer off, even if you'll only be away from it for a few minutes.
My energy use is so small. Does it really make a difference?
This is a common attitude that adds up to trillions of watts of wasted energy each year, resulting in trillions of pounds of unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions.
How much does it cost to supply electricity to a computer 24/7 for a year?
A desktop computer left on all day will cost between $115 and $160 a year to power.
How much does FAS spend each year on computer energy?
FAS spends approximately $957,000 per year to power its 13,000 computers.
How much can computer energy reduction save FAS in dollars and CO2 emissions?
The Computer Energy Reduction Program aims to save FAS $200,000 on its annual energy bills and prevent 1300 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.