{"id":520,"date":"2011-04-19T06:46:23","date_gmt":"2011-04-19T11:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=520"},"modified":"2013-04-26T05:14:14","modified_gmt":"2013-04-26T10:14:14","slug":"5-ways-to-reduce-your-computing-carbon-footprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2011\/04\/5-ways-to-reduce-your-computing-carbon-footprint\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways to reduce your computing carbon footprint"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following from an earlier post on Green ICT, and again in light of Earth Day this weekend, this post suggests some ways in which greenhouse gas emissions from computers can be reduced.<\/em><\/p>\n

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will increasingly become the responsibility of all global citizens. In the Caribbean, most countries have not yet implemented comprehensive \u201cgreen\u201d-oriented programmes. As discussed in an earlier post, Making the world a greener place: Decreasing ICT\u2019s carbon footprint<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, managing our electricity consumption can reduce the carbon footprint from PC use. Five options are outlined below.<\/p>\n

1. Turn off PCs when not in use.<\/strong> Although this recommendation might seem obvious, a desktop computer with a CRT monitor can consume the same amount of electricity as 3 or 4 bright (non-energy saving) lights on full time. If both the monitor and CPU are left on for 8 hours (the average workday), five days a week, in a month up to 58 kWh could be used. Further, if they are left on all day, everyday, and are not configured to go into sleep\/standby mode or to switch the monitor off when not in active use, electricity consumption can jump to as much as 245 kWh per month.
\n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Equipment (Operating duration)<\/strong><\/td>\n1 day\/ kWh<\/strong><\/td>\n31 days\/kWh<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desktop PC with 17\u201d CRT monitor (8 hours)<\/td>\n1.2 \u2013 2.6<\/td>\n36 \u2013 82<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desktop PC with 17\u201d CRT monitor (24 hours)<\/td>\n3.5 \u2013 7.9<\/td>\n108 \u2013 246<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desktop PC with 17\u201d LCD monitor (8 hours)<\/td>\n0.7 \u2013 2.3<\/td>\n20 \u2013 70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desktop PC with 17\u201d LCD monitor (24 hours)<\/td>\n2.0 \u2013 6.7<\/td>\n61 \u2013 209<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desktop PC with 20 – 24\u201d LCD monitor<\/td>\n0.7 \u2013 2.6<\/td>\n21 \u2013 80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desktop PC with 20 – 24\u201d LCD monitor<\/td>\n2.0 \u2013 7.7<\/td>\n62 \u2013 240<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laptop (8 hours)<\/td>\n0.1 \u2013 0.4<\/td>\n3.7 \u2013 11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laptop (24 hours)<\/td>\n0.4 \u2013 1.0<\/td>\n11 \u2013 33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Table 1: <\/strong>Approximate daily and monthly electricity consumption for select computer systems (Source: Saving Electricity<\/a>)<\/p>\n

2. Manage your PC power plan.<\/strong> Most PCs have power management features that allow users to configure electricity consumption by device.\u00a0 Typically, users are allowed to choose settings for when the equipment is fully operational and actively being used, and for inactive periods. Depending on the manufacturer, a range of options are given, such as:<\/p>\n