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F&CM | EETS | Computer Energy Savings FAQ

Why should I care about my computer's energy use?

Desktop computers use a lot of energy! Some simple facts:

  • After lighting and air conditioning, computers consume the most energy in NYU's office spaces.
  • Common Dell desktops use about 100 watts; the flatscreen displays use an additional 25 watts.
  • If NYU faculty and staff left all of their personal desktop computers on all the time, it would use over 15,000,000 kWh each year. That's over $3,000,000 worth of electricity!

OK, I'm convinced. What are my options? I use Microsoft WindowsXP.

Note: Apple Mac users click here.

First of all, screensavers are not an energy saving option--the computer and flatscreen are still consuming full power. But here's what you can do:

  • Hibernate mode -- when you "hibernate" the computer, it will make a copy of what's in its memory and save it to the hard drive. When you start it back up, it will quickly restore from this copy--all your files, emails, and windows will be open just as they were when it went into hibernation. This mode consumes about 1.5 watts.

    • "Hibernate" is the recommended option for week days.

  • Shutdown mode -- When you shut down the computer, it closes everything and turns off. You can do this every night if you like, and it is the best option for the weekend. This provides the computer an opportunity to clean up all the memory and minimizes computer malfunction.

    • "Shutdown" is the recommended option for week ends.

  • Standby mode -- when your computer is in standby or "sleep" mode, it will wake up quickly if you jiggle the mouse or tap the space bar. During standby it consumes about 2 watts.

    • The best energy saver is to make sure your computer and peripherals like printers/scanners are turned off when you leave work every day.

    Note - Sometimes when the PC is on standby/hibernate mode, it may not come back to active state. If you were working on an important document, please make sure that you save and close the document before you leave your office. Then if your PC goes to standby mode and locks up, you will not lose any unsaved information. Also, if your PC is using any other Microsft Windows version the above may not apply.
    Enough, already! Will you please just tell me how to change my settings so it hibernates when I am away for meetings, lunch etc.

    Sure, no problem. These are the 2 settings you need to accomplish "HIBERNATION":

    Step 1: First, make sure your computer is capable of hibernation. Click on the "Start" menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Power Options. (If you can't find it, look under "Control Panel->Performance and Maintenance".)

    Select the "Hibernate" tab and make sure the "Enable hibernation" box is checked.

    Step 2: Go back to the"Power Schemes" tab. Set the settings as you see below:

    Turn off monitor after 30 minutes, Hibernate after 2 hours.



    This is so if you leave your office for an hour (lunch, a meeting, whatever) the monitor will turn off, you will need to move the mouse or press any key for it to become active. But if you're gone for more than two hours, the PC will put itself into a deep energy saving mode. When you are back in the office, press the power button of the PC for the PC to turn back on to its active state.

    Note - Sometimes when the PC is on hibernate mode and the PC is running low on resources, it may not come back to active state. If you were working on an important document, please make sure that you save and close the document before you leave your office. Then if your PC goes to hibernate mode and locks up, you will not lose any unsaved information. Also, if your PC is using any other Microsft Windows version the above may not apply. Further it is recommended that you shut down all your documents and applications and the PC before leaving the office end of your work day.

    Advanced (optional): go to the Advanced tab. You can also change what the power button on your desktop does for convenience--if you set it to Hibernate, then when you leave for the night, all you have to do is press one button.

    How else can I help? And, is there anything else you want me to know?

  • Our newer desktop printers (the HP LaserJets) only draw 3-6 watts when in standby mode. That's not too bad, but it would still be a good thing to turn them off when you leave for the night and weekends.


  • Better yet, put your computer and all its peripherals-- desktop, printer, screen, speakers--on a power strip, and just turn that off when you leave. Just make sure you shut down the computer first.


  • Those newer desktop printers will also print double-sided, automatically!


  • CLICK HERE for more information about double-sided printing.

    • Thanks for reading! Getting our computers shut down when we leave the office is a simple and cost-saving measure we can take that will save us money and help us lead the way.

    Other resources include:


    Please contact Cecil Scheib, F&CM's Director of Energy and Sustainability, at ext. 28263 with any questions or feedback.