February 2018: Green Tips

It's important for us to practice sustainability when using electronics and everyday gadgets. It's usually an afterthought for us but taking the steps to save energy whenever it's not in use makes a huge difference for the environment.

Electronics and Appliances

Turn it off: A habit that should eventually become second nature. All appliances and electronics should be kept off when not in use, even for short amounts of time.

Unplug: This reduces the amount of “vampire electricity,” that energy appliances suck even when they are turned off. Computers, televisions, and DVRs use the most electricity when off but still plugged in. Power strips make this more convenient by using one switch to eliminate all power. Try smart power strips that shut down products that go into standby mode.

Change your settings: Adjust your computer settings to energy-saving options

  •  Enable standby (“sleep”) mode. A typical computer uses 50-150 Watts of power, but only 1-6 W when on standby.
  •  Don’t use a screensaver – these use just as much energy as active use.
  •  Check your power settings – choose “Energy Saver” modes.
  •  Turn it off – Leaving your computer for 30 minutes or more? Shut it down for significant savings.
  •  Use an energy-saving software that automatically adjusts your settings without affecting your use. Try a free program like Granola Software.