Going green has hit the technological world, people are now installing solar panels and buying Hybrids in an attempt to save energy and make the world a greener place to live in. However, not all of us can afford to make such gallant (and expensive) alternates.
Here are a few tips for going green with your computers; in addition to saving the environment, you will be saving your money!
If you are thinking of buying a new computer, select a laptop over a desk top computer. Desk tops use a lot of energy and materials compared to laptops. Laptops have energy-efficiency built in to optimize battery life. When you are buying your computer, just buy what you need. If you will not be using your computer frequently, then opt for a smaller system that does not drain energy. Various computers, monitors and printers now indicate that they conserve more energy, so look for the ‘green’ labels before purchasing your computer.
When not using your computer, just turn it off. If you prefer not to shut down, make sure you put it on sleep or hibernation mode to save energy. Your computer system should have an option for power settings (usually located in the control panel), where you can turn off the monitor, hard disk or put your system to sleep automatically after so many minutes of inactivity. Setting your computer to hibernate is preferable as it conserves more energy than putting it to sleep. Also, peripherals such as printers and scanners should be turned off and plugged off when not in use.
Make sure you re-cycle your computer when you are done with it. If the computer is still usable, then you can donate it to an organization that could use one, or try give it to a computer shop that collects old machines. Other ways to go green include using recycled paper for printing purposes and by using both sides to print - you will be saving trees and your cash!
