This article was written in respect of the Earth Day. Making this world a better place to live is everyone’s duty. Here is what you can do to make your computer more earth friendly and contribute to a greener world.
1. Use your computer’s Power Saving features: For Windows users, go to Control Panel, Power Options. For Windows Vista and 7 users, you may have to go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sounds -> Power Options. Choose a Power Saver option to save energy. This will help you save money and reduce electricity consumption.
2. Turn off Your Computer: At the end of the day or when you don’t need to use the computer, turn it off. Some say that the electricity needed to restart a computer is more than constantly running it. That’s a myth. Restarting the computer uses same energy as keeping the computer on for 3 minutes.
3. Use Sleep Mode and Avoid Using Screensavers: Screensavers don’t protect monitors anymore. They were useful for old huge CRT monitors. But they do not function the same way for current LCD monitors. In fact, they can reduce the lifespan of LCD monitors. So, when your computer is idle, set it to go to Sleep Mode after a certain peirod. This will put the computer to minimum functionality and with a press of a button or click of a mouse will wake up the computer to function normally again. Sleep Mode can be turned ON by going back to Power Options and clicking on Change When the Computer Sleeps.
4. Turn Off the Monitor and other accessories: When not in use, power off the monitor. Also, unplug any computer accessories such as printers, modems, routers when not in use or overnight.
5. Decrease Screen Brightness: Use your monitor settings to reduce the brightness of your screen. Laptop users also have keys on the keyboard to reduce the brightness of the screen. This will conserve electricity for monitors and prolong battery life for laptops.
6. Do Your Banking Online, Save Paper: Most companies now offer e-version of their bills and documents. Signing up to receive your bills and documents online will save paper and trees. Make sure you have an active anti-virus running in your computer when you do decide to do your banking online.
7. Dispose of Your Old Computer Responsibly: Computers are bound to get old and outdated. When it comes to a point that you have to throw it out, avoid throwing it into the garbage. Most cities offer free electronics recycling programs that will recycle the computer for you in a safe manner. Disposed electronics cause bio hazards in environments.
8. Advise Your Friends and Family Members to do the Same.