#greencomputer

Look around your computer or tablet right now. You probably see speakers, a printer, charger or keyboard around. On average, households have 24 electronics. What would your energy savings look like if you swapped out the computer accessories with green technology?

  You won’t have to search far to find green technology in computer accessories. You can find them in your local electronics store or online. While they typically cost more upfront, but they will pay for themselves in energy savings during the electronic’s lifetime.

  Eco-friendly computer accessories are quickly located by looking for the Energy Star label. Energy Star gives its label to printers, scanners, telephones, DVD players and more. Compared to the conventional models, the energy-efficiency ones save 45 percent more energy, typically. [1] The electronics get the label because Energy Star says it meets standards in power usages, and idle and sleep modes.

  A great example is a cordless telephone. The phones use a low-power mode, constantly using energy. Add in other video and audio electronics, and you have electronics in a low-power mode draining nearly 40 percent of your monthly energy. To fix this, Energy star finds phones that have efficient standby modes and smart chargers. Cordless phones don’t need to be charging all the time, so these energy settings are important. These settings guarantee that the phones use 2 watts or less.  Along with the lower energy pull, cordless phones can have a smart charging dock, which shuts off when the device is charged. [2]

  Save more money around your home by installing other automatic shut-off chargers. GreenZero and Dexim chargers work normally but turn off automatically when the device is charged.  

  You can avoid electronics all together by using simple, green technology. Amplifying devices, such as Amplifiear or SoundBender, attach to your tablet and increase the volume without any electronics. You just attach the device and use it like you regularly would. The sound will go directly to your hears, instead of bouncing around the room. If you want to save a little more, try using a plastic cup or toilet paper roll, to make a speaker. 

  Take another look around your computer. What electronics do you see that can be changed to green technology? Let me know in the comments section how your green technology changes work.

Author: Brenna Malmberg

[1] Energy Star Electronic Device Savings

Green Computer Offers Electricity Savings

A quick push of the mouse, and my computer screen opens to my desktop. The lights buzz; the computer starts coming to life. While this happens, I get closer and closer to my workday. But at the same time, I am using and buying more energy.

With some computer information, you could be starting your workday more efficient by using a green computer. Together, by switching, we could save $1.8 billion a year. [1]

EPEAT offers a way to find a green computer. The company gives environmental ratings to electronics, including green computers. The rating system analyzes the entire items, from energy use to packaging. Electronics get a bronze, silver or gold rating from EPEAT. [2] For green computer options, the site lists more than 2,353.

Energy Star also offers eco-friendly equipment options. The products receive an Energy Star label for their environmental accolades. Energy Star takes the following criteria into consideration: Power supply; operation in multiple modes such as off, sleep and idle; and user adjustable power management features. [3] 

How much you reduce your electricity by switching to a green computer depends on your computer usage. A first easy step can be to quit using the screensaver. It looks nice, but if you let your computer drift into a deep sleep with a black screen, it saves more energy. Especially remember to make sure your computer and monitor both turn to a low-power mode. Lots of people only change the monitor, not the entire computer. Consult Energy Star’s site if you need help finding your device’s power management. [4] When you reduce the rebooting time, you can save up to $50 annually, especially if you use to leave your computer on constantly.

Download the Energy Star Estimate Your PC Power Management Savings spreadsheet to track your lifestyle changes. [5] It shows your habits and how much you are saving annually.  

I can save more than $15 annually by ditching my screensaver and changing my inactivity time down a few minutes. Thanks adjustments, I can work knowing I am conserving energy. How much can you save on electricity with a green computer?

Read more about computer energy with America's Best Energy Team. 

  [1] Energy Star Computer Savings

[2] EPEAT Environmental Criteria

[3] Energy Star Computer Criteria

[4] Energy Star Power Modes