Cutting electricity costs

by calixtesaint Jun 4, 2007 2:02AM PDT

I was thinking about cutting electricity costs.
Though I shut down my computer when I am not using it,my modem and router,monitor are still on.
To save costs, do I unplug everything each time or turn off my power bar.My power bar is an APC surge arrest model.
Can I simply disconnect the modem & router from their power sourses?
Will shutting off the modem & router result in the need to re-configure it each time?
Any tips on how to have all this technology stuff and curb electricity costs would be most welcome!!!!
Thanks for listening...

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cutting electricity costs

by ramarc Jun 4, 2007 2:11AM PDT

practically all monitors have energy star certifications and use little power when no signal is detected. likewise your modem and router use less power than a 25w bulb. that stuff probably contributes less than $1 a month to your electric bill.

if you want to save significant electricity, raise your a/c thermostat a few degrees, turn lights off in rooms you're not in, switch to compact florescent bulbs, replace a tube tv with a lcd, etc.

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reply to ramarc

by calixtesaint Jun 4, 2007 8:41AM PDT

My monitor is a brand new LG flatron with energy star certification, so I guess that is good. Thanks for the info on monitors,modems and routers.Your other cost cutting tips were much appreciated also!

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It matters

by Willy Jun 4, 2007 3:39AM PDT

Every little bit helps, so if you can 100% shutdown, do so. The preference is yours regardless of any "power saving modes", true shutdown does help. When re-powered, it will need to boot-up and attach all devices, etc. and test or whatever modes and continue the start-up cycle to finally finish and be ready, if you can handle that then it's worth the effort. No need to physically disconnect anything, just remove from AC power(switch off).

FYI - ie: Just turning off any charging station like for cell phone, iPods, etc. can really benefit over the long run power needed when its really not charging and just sitting empty.

tada -----Willy

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CRT vs LCD

by strickjh2005 Jun 4, 2007 4:05AM PDT

The newer LCDs use about 50 watts less than most CRTs. Assuming that I use the computer about 6 hours a day I would use about $1.20 a month difference in electricity. (Depending on the cost of your Kilo watt hours. The average Minnesotan pays 10 cents per kilowatt hour.) This will probably not be a good reason to buy a brand new monitor unless you would like to upgrade. The effects on the environment for throwing away your old one and the cost of the new one pretty much outweigh the benefit of the new screen.

Anyway your modem and router may or may not need to be reconfigured every time. But they take almost nothing to run. You are talking 10 watts max for both combined.

If you really need to cut electricity costs, make your next computer a laptop. They are specifically designed to use very little juice.

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reply to Willy

by calixtesaint Jun 4, 2007 8:50AM PDT

Thanks for the info re simply switching off the AC power-it makes sense.
Although I do stay on the computer for long periods of time once i'm on it, I certainly can handle waiting for it to boot up. I tried it today and it really was not that long of a wait.
I also like the idea of turning off charging stations-I use my cell phone minimally & so only re-charge it once a month-so now it will be unplugged(don't have a turn-off switch!)
Thanks again Willy!!

Cutting electricity costs

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