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Energy Saving Fact Sheet: Computers, Laptops and MonitorsSwitch IT Over Home Taking Action Resources Introduction
Computers and monitors can account for over 70% of all electricity consumed by office equipment, in part because nearly every office worker has a dedicated computer as opposed to other office equipment that is generally shared by multiple users. There is great scope to reduce the energy consumption from office computers and monitors, save money on electricity bills and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Table of contentsBuy For Energy EfficiencyCouncils typically replace their computers and monitors every three years (ICLEI Oceania, 2008). This high rate of turnover presents the opportunity switch over to energy efficient models and settings. Energy consumption can vary considerably between different brands and models therefore it is important to check the power consumption in operating, sleep, standby and off modes so council can select the most energy efficient option. Take the total cost of ownership into consideration, not just the upfront price. There are several performance standards that can assist in identifying efficient products. ENERGY STAR
Computers and monitors that feature the ENERGY STAR logo have energy saving modes that allow equipment to progressively power down after a set period of inactivity and then awaken on request. Manufacturers must enable the ENERGY STAR settings as default prior to shipping. The current minimum energy efficiency program requirements for computers, laptops and monitors are presented in the following tables, however it is worth noting that there is many products on the market that exceed ENERGY STAR requirements, and the program requirements themselves are periodically reviewed and tightened. Shop around and ask questions about the power rating in different operating modes. Click tables to enlarge: 80 PLUSThe 80 PLUS performance specification requires multi-output power supplies in computers and servers to be 80% or more energy efficient. This makes an 80 PLUS certified power supply substantially more efficient than typical models. An energy efficient power supply loses far less energy as heat, increasing the energy to work ratio. The ENERGY STAR program requires computers to match 80 PLUS efficiency levels, therefore specifying compliance with the latest version on ENERGY STAR will also ensure an 80 PLUS certified power supply. Copy and paste product specificationsIncluding clear energy performance criteria in product specifications for computers and monitors is one of the best way to ensure new equipment satisfies council’s preference for high efficiency equipment. The following table provides a model set of criteria for energy consumption that can be used. Download the comprehensive list of procurement criteria [DOC, 301KB] if you want to go beyond just energy efficiency. You may wish to consult your vendors to establish what criteria can be applied as mandatory now, and what could be included in the future. Click table to enlarge: Enable Energy Saving ModesMost computers, laptops and monitors will be fitted with sleep or ‘power down’ modes that enables the device to enter energy saving modes after a period of inactivity. Unfortunately, these settings are not always enabled — wasting energy and costing money. Enabling these settings takes just a few minutes. For step-by-step instructions visit:
One of the main concerns about enabling energy saving modes is that it interferes with certain network settings. This is most applicable in environments with older systems that need to stay continuously connected so the network administrator can ‘push’ urgent security updates and perform general maintenance on the network . However it is possible for the IT department to implement a network-level PC power management solution. For more information visit:
Switch Off
Switching off office equipment when it is not being used reduces energy consumption and heat produced by equipment, which in turn lowers cooling cost. But sometime getting staff on-board can be difficult. Conducting an awareness raising and behaviour change campaign can help get your message across. Some of the key considerations for conducting a successful awareness-raising campaign include:
There are many resources available to save you designing your own slogans and resources.
TimersA simple way to bypass staff and ensure equipment is switched off is to install timers. Timers allow you to specify set periods of time for equipment to be switched off, such as overnight and weekends. There are several products available that are suitable for computers and monitors, available for a few dollars at most major electronics retailers. However it is worth noting that using a timer is equivalent to pulling the plug out of the wall, therefore any work that is not saved will be lost. For this reason, a hardware timer may be only suitable for monitors to avoid memory loss. If you do install timers, it is important that you let staff know how to override them if they work outside of business hours. Another option is to get your IT department to run a script at a certain time of day that sends the command for equipment to enter the deepest level of power saving. This can be done so that work is saved temporarily on the hard disk and can be retrieved upon a 'wake' command.
Beyond Energy Efficiency programs
There are a range of eco-labels and standards that can assist you to verify environmental claims made about computers and electronic products. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency is by far the most comprehensive environmental standard for computers and monitors. In addition to energy efficiency standards, it covers 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria ranging from the restriction of hazardous substances and design-for-environment, to ease of end-of-life disassembly. These criteria can easily be copied and pasted into procurement documentation A useful Australian standard is the Good Environmental Choice product standard for computers. This standard is also relevant for laptops and monitors. Sustainable End-of-Life Disposal
Local government agencies utilise a range of channels to dispose of their old office and IT equipment. There is no clear method that stands out as the most sustainable option as the sustainability of each method is influenced by a multitude of factors. Click table to enlarge: Manufacturers Sustainability CommitmentsInformation about the environmental credentials of each manufacturer can be found on their websites. References
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