Computers and the "Power Lunch"

The term "power lunch" takes on a new meaning when one talks about how energy is being "gobbled up" on college campuses. Computers alone are already eating up 5 percent of the total energy fare at many universities.

This computer "power lunch" is expected to only worsen. On the academic and administrative side, universities continue to automate more and more procedures. Student registration processes, classroom teaching practices, business and library services, publications and so on, have long been computerized. Computers are now found in almost every faculty and staff office and in the backpacks and dorm rooms of most students.

At some universities, computers are already eating up 5 percent of the electricity bill, and this "power lunch" by computers is expected to continue.

Equally serious is the manner in which computers are misused. Research indicates that as many as four out of 10 computers run continuously without being used!

By following the green computing (powering down computers when not in use) tips outlined here, you can help MU to conserve energy and avoid environmental and financial costs.

Green Computing: Top 5 tips

Tip 1: Turn it off

Turn off computers and peripheral equipment when you aren't using them. A modest amount of turning your equipment on and off will not cause harm. Turn off your computer system when you go to lunch or a meeting-and never leave it running all night.

Tip 2: Break The Once-A-Day Habit

Break the habit of turning on all of your computer equipment as soon as you arrive each day. Turn on your CPU or printer only when you need it.

Tip 3: Be A Groupie

Group your computer activities for completion once or twice a day, and then leave your computer turned off the rest of the time.

Tip 4: Save Your Screen Without Fish

Screen savers with fish or flying toasters may save the phosphors in your monitor, but they don't save energy. The moving images consume almost as much energy as if the screen were in use. The best screen saver and energy saver is to turn off your monitor when you're not looking at it!

Tip 5: Ditch the Strip

Power strips make it too easy to turn everything on at once and leave it on. If you need a surge suppresser, buy an individual one (1-2 outlets) for each piece of equipment. Power strips are available that turn off monitors and printers after so many idle minutes.

Green Computers?

The EPA has been encouraging manufacturers to develop energy-efficient computer equipment that automatically powers down when not in use. These products receive the EPA's Energy Star designation , which can be used to promote their sale.

The EPA estimates that computers with a "sleep mode" require 60 - 70 percent less energy. Computers with the Energy Star logo are readily available and cost-competitive. Buy green!

Reducing Paper Waste

Green computing isn't just about saving energy. We're also concerned about saving trees! Predictions about the paperless office were wrong. We are consuming more paper than ever!

Here are some tips for reducing paper waste:

1. Minimize the number of hard copies and drafts you print. Review and modify documents on screen. If you work on documents with colleagues, give them a disk, not a hard copy.

2. Use e-mail whenever possible and avoid needless printing of e-mail messages.

3. Use a smaller font size (consistent with readability) on large documents to save paper.

4. Reuse waste paper. If waste paper is printed on just one side, use the other side for printing drafts.

5. Buy and use recycled paper. Recycled paper costs the same and saves trees.

Green Choices

Recycle your print and laser-toner cartridges. General Stores (882-6906) provides free pickup of used cartridges.

Reformat diskettes with outdated information and continue to use them.

Consider using inkjet printers. They use 80 to 90 percent less energy.

Share printers.