Turning Your Computer Off At Night vs. Leaving it on 24/7

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Q. Dear Umbra,

I started a green team at my office and one of our initiatives is reducing energy consumption. The team had recommended turning off the computers at night and when not in use. Seems logical, right? Well, the IT department denied our efforts and recommends keeping computers on 24/7. I’m horrified! The rationale is that turning on and off your computer changes the internal temperature of the equipment and adds to the wear and tear. I need some data to back up our green claim that it is better and safe to shut down the computers. Can you please help?

Nervously awaiting,

Jennifer

A. Dearest Jennifer,

Little-known fact: I actually keep my computer turned off 24 hours a day. I just peek at my inbox over my editor’s shoulder, scribble my answers on recycled paper, and make her type them in. Saves boatloads of energy.

Congratulations on the formation of your green team, and condolences on the fact that you have already been strongarmed. I suspect it will not be the last time, as earnest eco-efforts are not always welcomed by those whose habits and patterns they affect.

There are two answers to your question, as far as I see it: a factual one and a philosophical one. The factual answer is, reputable sources including the U.S. Department of Energy say it is A-OK to turn your computer off at night, and that the various “wear and tear” arguments are no longer accurate. (Here is a fact sheet from the Oregon DEQ that, while a bit dated, cites many useful resources you might peruse.) The philosophical answer is, don’t ever, ever, ever alienate your IT department. Even for the sake of saving the planet.

I think there may be some middle ground here: more and more computers have a “hibernate” function, which is similar to a sleep function but even, well, sleepier. Talk to your IT people to find out if there’s a way to send all the computers happily into hibernation at the end of the day. Yes, they will still use a bit of energy, but far less than if they were left in full on mode, humming along. Other key things to do: turn off your monitor whenever you won’t be using it for 15 to 20 minutes. And remember that a screen saver is not an energy-saver; in fact, most screen savers are energy hogs.

Now go buy the IT guys some cookies, and keep up the good work.

RAMly,

Umbra

http://www.grist.org/article/2009-11-15-as...-and-junk-mail/

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

When I was in school we would do this, leave our studio machines on 24/7. I even remember that we had "stability" competitions. I think the record was 50 something days.

Now a days we all leave are machines off at work and home. In fact before leaving the office if i'm the last one I walk around to everyone's computer and make sure even the monitors are off and not in sleep mode.

[Malrothien 6]

Laptop turns off monitor after 15 minutes, and goes to sleep after 30 minutes. Hubby's computer will shut the monitor off after 20 minutes.

[Darnell 8,478]

I still leave all my gear on. But - 'all my gear' is in a data center inside the house. No ScreenSavers, and I'll turn off the monitors when I'm sleeping.

Edited November 30, 2009 by Darnell

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Doesn't sleep mode substantially reduce power consumption?

[Niels Bohr 72]

Tell you what, my graphics car uses about 350 watts, CPU about 125 watts. So, leaving it on 24/7? Ridiculous.

Why hibernate when computers boot in no time at all if it's modernized. Heck, just turn the friggin things off. If there's no power condition or line conditioner (UPS Battery Backup devices), turn the computer off so that any inconsistency in electricity will not cause any problems for your machine.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Doesn't sleep mode substantially reduce power consumption?

That's what I thought. Vista has hibernate and I've never used it before. I'll have to look into the different because I want my computer to wake-up quickly.

[Dan J 277]

Tell you what, my graphics car uses about 350 watts, CPU about 125 watts. So, leaving it on 24/7? Ridiculous.

Why hibernate when computers boot in no time at all if it's modernized. Heck, just turn the friggin things off. If there's no power condition or line conditioner (UPS Battery Backup devices), turn the computer off so that any inconsistency in electricity will not cause any problems for your machine.

Not everyone has a top of the line PC. Boot can take more time than restoring from hibernate

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I keep my desktop on 24/7, I put it in sleep mode when it's not in use.

My netbook which I currently have to use I shut off everynight.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Doesn't sleep mode substantially reduce power consumption?

That's what I thought. Vista has hibernate and I've never used it before. I'll have to look into the different because I want my computer to wake-up quickly.

It takes longer for it to come out of hibernation than it does sleep or standby mode. I have XP and let it go to standby, it turns off the monitor and puts it into a low power state.

[Jasman0717 9]

WE have to turn our computers off every night. I guess 4500 computers left on consumes a few kilowatts

[Niels Bohr 72]

When SSD becomes mainstream (affordable), then, everyone will have their computer turned off at night. SSD boots quick with Win 7.

Edited November 30, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Leo Laporte (the Tech Guy) said on his radio program that most computers will become obsolete before the wear and tear kills them. Turn them off.

I turn them off at night.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Whats the largest SSD on the market? 250ishGB?

Edited December 1, 2009 by Sousuke

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Leo Laporte (the Tech Guy) said on his radio program that most computers will become obsolete before the wear and tear kills them. Turn them off.

I turn them off at night.

Leo is the man.