ITS - User Services

PC Energy Conservation Tips

• Do not run animated screen savers. These programs use additional power and often prevent a computer from going into "sleep" mode that saves about 30% of the monitor’s energy consumption. Screen savers protect only the phosphorescent coating on the monitor (not usually a problem with color monitors).
• Better yet, turn off your monitor whenever you won’t be using your computer for more than 15 minutes (such as when you’re at a meeting, at lunch, or at home). Shutting off the monitor will NOT prevent your computer from operating to check for viruses, perform backups or receive software upgrades, some of which is now commonly run over night or on weekends. When you return to your computer, just press the monitor's power button and in a few seconds you’re right where you left off.
• Keep your printer (and other peripherals) turned off until you need it. Most people do not print constantly all day long, but they leave their printer turned on all the time.
• In dorm rooms we recommend you turn your entire computer system off overnight whenever possible. This option will save the most energy.
  Click here for Best Computer Practices in dorm rooms
• In offices you should check with your computer support person, however, the recommendation is that most personal computer system units should be left on (with monitors and peripherals off) at night and on weekends. This permits automated security and antivirus patch protection as well as application upgrade procedures to occur during non-business hours.
• Click here to view some typical power usage figures
• Click here to see a sample of how to setup a Windows XP system's power settings
• For more energy saving ideas see http://www.uni.edu/energy

If you need additional assistance please contact the Computer Consulting Center (CCC) at (319) 273-5555. The CCC is located in Room 36 ITTC Building (East Gym). Consultants are available to provide hands-on assistance daily Monday through Friday during University Business Hours.