It is better to set up power options according to your needs and most recommanded set up is using the stand by or hibernate mode. If it is possible try to turnoff the monitor after every 15 or 30 minutes.
Stand By will use less power and when you are ready to continue working, it won't take long to startup again. This is recommended for your short breaks from work.
Both Stand By and Hibernate are good options to lower the power consumption of your computer. And avoid the using screen savers.
For laptop, turn off your wireless card if you are not using it, and reducing the brightness of your monitor. This can also help your battery last longer.
By reducing your computer's power consumption you will also reduce your energy bill and CO2 emissions. You will also be saving trees and helping the environment.
5 ways you can help to decrease power consumption on your computer
- Blackle was created to provide a front end to Google, but with a black background. Blackle saves energy because the screen is predominantly black.
- CO2 Saver is a free toolbar released by Snap and is a lightweight application that runs in Windows. It adjusts your Windows power settings so that your computer, monitor and hard drive consumes less electricity when you’re not actively using them
- If you don't feel comfortable messing with the Power Options, there is a software called Local Cooling. This software is completely free and it will optimize your computer's power consumption by using a more effective power save mode. It will also keep showing you how much energy and how many trees you have saved because of using that software. To download it please visit www.localcooling.com
- Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products.
- Use LCD monitors. Some sources quote CRT monitors as consuming 250% more power than LCD screens of similar size.
