ETeam’s Habit of the Month: September
Green Computing

The ETeam believes that much can be done to conserve energy (and thus money) on campus — and that we can starts with our computers.  If 200 computers and monitors were turned off at night and on weekends, the college could save almost $9,000 each year. There are many simple things we can do help conserve energy on campus by learning a few “green computing” tips:

• Screen savers do not save energy, but giving your computer a nap does.
• Enable power management features on your computer monitor and hard drive such that your computer will go into a low power “sleep” or “hibernate” mode when not actively in use. (see below for instructions)
• Keep all computers off unless in use, especially at night and on weekends; use a power strip to shut down all office equipment, including  computers.
• Turn off your monitor when you go to lunch, to class, or to a meeting.
• Purchase ‘Energy Star’ computers and peripherals whenever possible.
• Laptops can use up to 90% less energy than desktop computers.
• LCD monitors can use up to 75% less electricity than CRT monitors.
• Use standby mode on copy machines whenever possible.

Climate Savers Computing (http://www.climatesaverscomputing.org) has put together a wonderful document to help us learn how to alter power management settings on different computers. This document is posted on the ETeam blog, http://e-teamsjc.blogspot.com/, is available through the College’s Sustainable Attainable web page, or on the Climate Savers Computing web page, at http://www.climatesaverscomputing.org/docs/Power_management_instructions.pdf.

There is also a Jing video, “PowerDown,” produced by Tony Schwieterman posted on the blog as well. If you have any questions, especially concerned with adjusting the power management settings on your computer, please contact Brian Shelley or another ETeam member. Green computing habits are a great way to reduce energy consumption on campus, and live a more sustainable life in general.

Special note: In Maine, computers must be recycled, not disposed of, because of toxic materials used in the construction of these devices (http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/recycle/computerrecy.htm).