Energy Improvements: Computers and Sleep

Have you ever had trouble sleeping at night and the next day you feel drained of energy?  Well, it may surprise you to learn that you may not be the only thinking entity in your house with this problem.  Your computer may be experiencing insomnia as well.  In fact, it may not be getting any sleep at all resulting in a big energy drain.  It may still perform with no problems, but your electric bill is not going to be doing so well.

Did you know that you can save energy, save money, and help the environment by activating power management features on your computer?  In fact, it can cut the electricity used by your PCs roughly in half, saving $25–75 per PC annually.  Saving energy also reduces air pollution associated with the burning of fossil fuels, and ultimately lowers the risk of climate change.

If you have a laptop then chances are it’s being power managed.  After all, the battery only lasts so long. While they use less energy than desktops, notebook computers still burn about 20–30 watts of power. System standby and hibernate features reduce notebook power draw to 1–2 watts, so the energy savings are still very significant. Be sure to activate system standby and hibernate features in the AC power profile (which saves power when the notebook is plugged into the wall) — not just the DC power profile (which prolongs battery life).

Oh, and by the way screen savers do not save screens and they certainly don’t save energy.  This is a myth.  In the old days of boxy clunky monitors, screen savers may have done some good, but today’s monitors do not need screen savers to help with their longevity. In fact, certain graphics-intensive screen savers can cause the computer to burn twice as much energy, and may actually prevent a computer from entering sleep mode.  Screen savers were originally developed to prevent the permanent etching of patterns on older monochrome monitors. Modern display screens do not suffer as much from this problem, but screen savers are still used for entertainment.  If you want to use your screen saver in conjunction with monitor power management, set the screen saver “wait time” to less than the period of time after which the monitor enters sleep mode. If your screen saver appears but your monitor never enters sleep mode, your screen saver may be the culprit: try disabling it.

Ok, so I have used my powers of persuasion to convince you.  Now I’ll just wait a few moments while you change those settings.  Done? Great.  Now, if you really want save some energy, next time you’re in the office check to see if your computer at work is going to sleep or what your organization’s policy on this is.  Even if there are only 50 computers in your office that could possibly save $3,500 per year in energy costs.  You may have just earned a promotion.  Work for a bigger organization? Just look at General Electric. The company activated power management features on 75,000 computers and is estimated to have saved $2.5 million a year.  That’s enough energy savings to light over 23,000 homes for a year. Because saving energy prevents pollution associated with generating electricity, these actions will prevent 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to planting 5,600 acres of trees.

But don’t feel like you have to save the whole world. Start at home and just take one simple step that will save you money and help the environment.  Besides, sleep is oh so good.

Radiant Barrier Experts Energy Improvements:

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Texas Tells Feds: Shove Your Light Bulb Ban

State lawmakers have passed a bill that allows Texans to skirt federal efforts to promote more efficient light bulbs, which ultimately pushes the swirled, compact fluorescent bulbs over the 100-watt incandescent bulbs many grew up with.

The measure, sent to Gov. Rick Perry for consideration, lets any incandescent light bulb manufactured in Texas – and sold in that state – avoid the authority of the federal government or the repeal of the 2007 energy independence act that starts phasing out some incandescent light bulbs next year.

“Let there be light,” state Rep. George Lavender, R-Texarkana, wrote on Facebook after the bill passed. “It will allow the continued manufacture and sale of incandescent light bulbs in Texas, even after the federal ban goes into effect. … It’s a good day for Texas.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York-based environmental group, is calling on Perry to veto the bill.
Hope you found this information useful! Remember, Energy Improvements is your leading source of Radiant Barrier

Here is a very interesting Dallas Radiant Barrier Question that came in:

Hello:

I am looking at seeing if I should have a Dallas Radiant Barrier or insulation installed on my garage door in hot weather?

Dallas Radiant Barrier Answer:

If your garage is not heated or air conditioned then you basically need “shade” not insulation, so radiant barrier is the way to go.

Another way to cool the garage is to help ventilate it. If you have a pulldown staircase or scuddle hole, prop it open and then set the proximity switch on the garage door opener to get it to stop an inch or two before completely closing. Air will come under the door, through the garage, up and out the attic door and then through the attic. Combine good air flow with radiant barrier and the garage will be much cooler.

Finally, if you have an attic over the garage then installing Energy Shield Dallas Radiant Barrier Foil is the way to go!