Computers: Tricks to Consume Less Power

Set the power saving option and disable the screensaver. The laptop consumes less energy than the desktop.

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How to save energy with your computer

HOW TO SAVE ENERGY WITH YOUR COMPUTER

Did you know that a typical computer running for at least nine hours a day can consume up to 175 kWh over a year? That's without even considering the amount of CO2 it emits into the atmosphere. Yet, a few simple steps, such as lowering the screen brightness (using the energy saving option) or putting it into standby mode if you don't use it for more than two minutes, can help you save on your energy bill, avoid wasting electricity , and therefore protect the environment.

READ ALSO: Video game consoles: how to use them wisely to avoid wasting electricity

ENERGY SAVING WHILE USING YOUR PC

Here are some practical tips for not wasting energy with your computer :

  • To begin with, set up your PC toenergy saving option: In many models, you can access it by clicking directly on the battery icon. If possible, also try setting up multiple power profiles to maximize energy savings for different usage situations.
  • Check whether it is possible to activate the energy saving functions in the energy saving settings of your computer's operating system. spin down (slowdown) of the hard disk when the computer is not used for a certain period of time: it will allow you to save up to 90 percent of the energy consumed by the hard disk.
  • Some PCs have the ability to monitor and regulate CPU power according to the processor load: this is also important for energy saving purposes.
  • Turn off the screensaver as it consumes more energy than simply dimming the monitor.
  • Turn off the Internet connection when it is not needed.
  • Always turn off your computer If you know you won't be using it for at least a few hours, standby accounts for nearly 30 percent of your electricity bill, a waste that, in monetary terms, translates to around €250 a year. So remember to always turn off your PC when you're not using it.
  • Detach also the socket During periods when the PC is not in use, it can draw power even when turned off. Alternatively, use a power strip with a switch to simultaneously turn off the printer, speakers, scanner, modem, and other connected peripherals.
  • Finally, if you are planning to buy a new computer, opt for a laptop: consumption is lower than a fixed one.
  • Reduce the brightness of your screen, and this way you will have lower electricity consumption.

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HOW TO CONSUME LESS ELECTRICITY WITH YOUR COMPUTER

A simple, effective, and safe way to consume less electricity with your computer is to opt for a laptop, which consumes significantly less than a desktop computer and is also more convenient to use. The reason for this difference, in terms of consumption and therefore costs, lies in the materials used to make them. computerA laptop's internal components are significantly fewer than those of a desktop computer, which already leads to a significant reduction in power consumption. Furthermore, laptops don't have (power-hungry) external devices like desktop computers, and everything needed for their operation, from graphics cards to processors, is inside these devices. Their operation requires a low amount of energy. The only drawback is that laptops are more delicate than desktop computers, if only because they're frequently moved. Care must be taken, for example, to ensure that the keyboard doesn't come into contact with heat sources.

HOW MUCH ENERGY DOES A COMPUTER CONSUME?

Having clarified the difference, in terms of consumption, between a portatile and a fixed, let's look at the individual cost items on the bill. The average consumption of a computer laptop power ranges between 20 and 50 W for energy-saving models, and can reach up to 130 W. Desktop computers, on the other hand, start from 60-70 W and can reach up to 250 W: a monitor alone, if LED, consumes around 70 W, while the video card reaches up to 100 W when in full activity.

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