Switch off your lights and appliances

PLEDGE: Switch off your lights and appliances
 
175 pledges

If you leave the room - switch off the lights.
If you don't work on your computer - switch it off, ...and the screen,
...and the printer!

Originally submitted by juttavdb on 30 Oct 2007

This is not always the best

On October 26th, 2007 sstewart says:

This is not always the best option. Some things - like fluorescent likes and CRT screens have a certain lifespan according to how many times they are switched on. I think if you are turn fluorescent lights off for less than 30 minutes you are actually better off leaving them on. Don't know what optimum time is for CRT Screens??

CRTs vs LCDs and power savings

On October 30th, 2007 alphamatrix says:

"There is virtually no power-saving advantage to powering off your CRT monitor. The energy consumed to keep your tube warm may extend the life of the monitor itself and in the end may save the University more by leaving it on." (http://windows.uwaterloo.ca/Hardware/PC_Power_Consumption.asp)

However... whether you have a CRT or LCD monitor makes a big difference.

CRT monitors use about 76W when turned on, LCD monitors average 20W. So if you're looking to switch, there's a saving right there.
(http://savingenergy.wordpress.com/2006/11/21/saving-energy-one-monitor-at-a-time/)

Also, LCD monitors, in comparison to CRT monitors, don't consume more power when you turn them on. So every minute you can have your screen off, saves money. Mine's set to 10 minutes, because if I'm away from my PC for 10 minutes when it's on, chances are I've gotten distracted and won't be back for a while.