Computer Systems

Energy Star^® is an international program, adopted by Natural Resources Canada, to promote energy efficiency. Only products that meet the Energy Star^®criteria can carry this label so the Energy Star^® symbol is a simple way for Canadians to identify energy efficient electronics.

A computer system usually consists of the tower enclosure, a monitor, a printer and other optional peripheral devices. Each has an independent 120 volt power supply with an on/off switch. A typical computer system is rated at 150 watts, with the monitor consuming up-to-75 per cent of this. Great strides have been made in making computer systems energy efficient without sacrificing their features or function. Choosing Energy Star^® computer products over conventional models will save energy. The Energy Star^® specification focuses on reducing energy consumption while the product is in the standby mode.

Your computer may already incorporate some of this technology. Read the owner's manual for each piece of equipment you use. Information on power management features is often provided solely for this purpose. In many cases, power management features can be set to minimum or maximum levels depending on your specific uses. For example, each component can be set to shut off automatically after a specified time. These settings are usually found under power management or power options in the control panel.

Laser printers consume much more energy than ink jet models. Recent advances have substantially improved ink jet printer quality and speed. Because they are not designed for high volumes, the cost of ink cartridges may mean higher operating costs per page than for laser printers; so the choice will depend on user needs.

Energy Saving Tips

The most important energy saving action is to turn off all your computer components when not in use, especially at the end of each day. Switching your computer on and off will have no significant effect on its operation or life.
Turn off your monitor, even when away for short periods of time as this is the biggest energy consumer on your system. A screen saver does not reduce energy consumption.
Use a laptop. A typical laptop computer has a maximum power consumption of 15 watts, and extensive power management capabilities. The potential energy savings from substituting desktop computers with laptops are up-to-90 per cent.
Turn printers off when not in use. Printers are typically left on for extended periods of time, but are active only for a small percentage.
Select a printer with power management capabilities. Printers with automatic power-down features can reduce electricity use by over 65 per cent.