…Cut your tech energy costs

By Levi Sumagaysay

In this always-on, always-connected world, it takes a lot of juice to be a geek. Here are ways to keep tech energy costs down.

1. Use an energy-efficient monitor We know you wouldn’t be caught dead with a CRT monitor on your desk, but if you’re secretly still harboring one, it’s time to ditch it in favor of an LCD monitor. LCDs consume as little as a third as much energy, says Eugene Alfaro, manager, global IT operations for Simpson Manufacturing in Pleasanton, Calif. “The money saved in energy will pay for that LCD monitor within 18 months, and you’ll have a nicer screen that’s easier on your eyes,” Alfaro says. At his previous job at a Silicon Valley tech firm, Alfaro helped with the CRT-to-LCD transition and became an advocate.

2. Employ good power management habits Take advantage of hibernate or standby modes on PCs and laptops. A computer that is on only when in use and has its power-save settings optimized could reduce power consumption by 50 percent, Alfaro says. In addition, he says most home computers are set up to supply full power and operate all parts even when they are not in use. Tweak your power settings so some parts are turned off when they’re not in use. On Windows Vista, go to Control Panel and search Power to create a custom power plan. Alfaro also suggests using the power-save mode available on most printers, or better yet, turning the printer off until you have to print something out.

While it’s a good idea to turn off electronics when not in use, power can be consumed even when an electronic is switched off. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 75 percent of electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Really into saving energy? Unplug the appliance. An easier option is to use a power strip. Just flip the switch on the power strip to cut power to all appliances plugged into the strip.

3. Limit use of external drives Many of us use external drives to store photos and back up our hard drives. Alfaro says you should turn off the external drive and not connect it until it’s needed. “Because a hard drive has moving mechanical parts, it consumes a significant amount of energy,” Alfaro says. “External hard drives typically consume about 150 watts.”