Jun 6

Green ComputingEver thought of ways to make your computing more environmentally friendly? Since computers, monitors, printers and other miscellaneous peripherals use electricity, you can do so by reducing the amount of energy they consume. This will also save money on energy bills which is always a great thing. Here are some tips to help you do so:

Use an LCD monitor
If you are still using an older CRT model (i.e. the kind that takes up half your desk space), consider replacing it with a new flat panel display. LCD monitors use one third less energy than CRT monitors.

Look for Energy Star peripherals
The same program which is popular for home appliances is available for products such as printers, scanners and fax machines. Energy Star is a program by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy which sets standards for energy-efficient products. By using an Energy Star compliant scanner or printer, you can use as much as 50-60% percent less energy.

Put your computer to sleep
Both PCs and Macs have power saving features built into the system. Basically, this will put your computer into “sleep” mode when not in use. This results in big drop in energy use.

Turn everything off at night
As long as you don’t use your computer as a server, or need to access it remotely, you can simply turn it off at night, or when you’re done for the day.

Stop residual power waste
Did you know that chargers for cell phones, iPods and other gadgets will suck power from the wall even when a device is not plugged in? I had no idea that idle chargers still used power. It is a pain to unplug devices, let alone a monitor or computer (which may be hidden behind your desk). One option is to use a SmartStrip. These devices monitor power use and can tell when items are turned off, or not charging. It then stops sending residual power to the device.

Recycle or donate
Since technology is always changing, you may find yourself with older products lying around after you upgrade to the latest and greatest. Computers and electronics contain many toxic materials, such as lead and mercury, which can leech into groundwater if dumped into a landfill. So, instead of trashing your old computers and electronics, looks for recycling programs in your area, or donate to local schools or charities. Earth 911 has an excellent directory of recycling programs, so do a search for your area.

May 24

Your carbon footprint is a measure of the impact your activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced. It is measured in units of carbon dioxide. The Carbon Footprint Calculator will determine your current footprint, based on a number of factors including fuel usage and travel.

There are several things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint:

  1. Purchase renewable energy if offered in your area, or install your own electricity generators, such as solar systems to lower your grid usage. Here in Albuquerque, PNM offers the Sky Blue program. This allows customers to purchase New Mexico wind energy.
  2. Turn off lights and electrical devices when not in use.
  3. Turn down the air conditioning a few degrees.
  4. Lower the water heater temperate.
  5. Wash clothes in cold water.
  6. Hang your clothes outside to dry, rather than use a clothes dryer.

Along with reducing your carbon footprint, you can offset your carbon footprint in a number of ways:

  1. Plant a tree. Trees reduce CO2 by a process known as carbon sequestration. Basically, tress breathe in CO2 and release oxygen into the air.
  2. Purchase carbon offsets from a company such as TerraPass. Your money is used to fund renewable energy projects such as wind farms.

Using these methods, you can reduce your carbon footprint to zero and know that you are doing your part to stop global warming and protect the environment.