Tips to save electricity and make the most of your computer

Whether it’s a notebook, laptop, or desktop computer, each contributes to the overall energy demand in your home, to varying degrees depending on usage and maintenance.

Several factors determine a computer’s energy consumption, beyond just its capacity or power. The date of manufacture is perhaps the most important point to consider when determining how much energy it may require. The older the device, the more electricity it will use. The average consumption ranges between 200 and 300 W, but this will depend on the use you make of it as well as manufacturing factors.

How to reduce electricity consumption when using your computer

There are many ways to minimise energy consumption if you have one or more computers at home. These range from technical measures to very simple steps that can be applied wit minimal knowledge of electronics.

More technical measures include:

• Use smart plugs: plug your computer and peripherals (printer, scanner, speakers, etc.) into a smart outlet, which can be programmed to automatically shut off when the devices are not in use.
• Enable 'energy saving' mode: set your computer to the energy-efficient plan. To do so, access power options in the control panel. You can also adjust your computer's sleep or hibernate times to ensure it powers down when not in use.
• Upgrade hardware and software: try to update or replace components with more energy-efficient alternatives. For example, replacing mechanical hard drives (HDD) with solid-state drives (SSD) and opting for power supplies with 80 PLUS certification. Additionally, consider using special software to manage your computer's power consumption, such as programmes that automatically shut off hard drives and adjust processor speed based on demand.
• Maintain your system: regularly clean the inside of your computer and dust the components to prevent overheating caused by dust or dirt buildup. This will help the fans work more efficiently and reduce the amount of energy needed for cooling, thereby producing less heat.

Now let's cover simpler, everyday tips:

• Adjust monitor brightness: try to adjust the intensity or brightness of the screen to save energy. The brighter the screen, the more energy it will consume. Furthermore, reducing the monitor's brightness will help protect your eyes from visual fatigue.
• Turn off the screensaver: screensavers with intense graphics require double the energy to enable and play. They also prevent the computer from entering sleep mode and the screen from shutting off completely.
• Close background tasks: close any applications, processes, or tabs that might be open in the background if you're not using them and don't currently need them.
• If you're not using it, turn it off: if you won't be using the computer for more than two hours, it's best to turn it off. An idle but powered-on computer still consumes approximately 100 watts. Contrary to popular belief, turning your computer off and on daily won't harm it; in fact, it will help with better maintenance and performance.
• Unplug your computer: even when a device is powered off, it will continue to use energy if it remains plugged in. About 40% of the electricity powering electronic devices at home is used while they are off, which amounts to 10% of the total household energy consumption. Unplugging devices helps reduce costs and protect the environment.
• Unplug your computer once charged: once your laptop or notebook is fully charged, unplug it. If it remains plugged in, it will keep using energy unnecessarily, as much as during the charging process.
• Use LCD screens: liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors can help you save between 50% and 70% of electricity. They use up less energy than CRT monitors, which are more common or more widely commercially available.
• Buy sustainable devices: when purchasing a computer, make sure it has an Energy Star label or logo, indicating that the product uses energy efficiently.
• Good habits: perhaps the most important tip is to educate your family members about the responsible use of electronic devices, including computers. Teach them the importance of turning off devices when not in use, performing regular maintenance, and taking care of them to ensure optimal functioning and extend their service life.