Green A-Z

Zzzzzzz  (Machines on standby)
+ 4,738 lbs
CO2 per year


Machines left on standby is a bigger contributor to climate change than road transport, at least in Britain, according  to the Energy Saving Trust, the UK government-funded body committed to tackling global warming. Up to 90 percent of the total energy use of electronics, such as computers, copiers, faxes, scanners and monitors occurs on standby. Their research found that 75 percent of us habitually waste high levels of energy on a daily basis – leaving appliance plugged on permanent standby and chargeable appliances plugged in once they are fully charged.

In reality, it can be hard to remember to switch everything off, which is why Time magazine came up with the brilliant suggestion of a switch-off monitor, It might not sound like the most glamorous work, but worth causes rarely are. They having one person walking the office halls every evening to make sure all the lights and electronics have been turned off. Obviously, some equipment needs to be left on, but simple training and labeling can tackle that. Too often people see the mass of chords connected to a computer and leave everything on because they aren’t sure what can be turned off.

Electronic equipment accounts for 9-15 percent of office energy usage. By reducing the power they consume, you’ll not only extend the life of your office equipment, you’ll extend the life of our planet.



Source courtesy of: The Environment Equation. Shimo-Barry, Adams Media (2008)