Turn your computer off at night

$2.8 billion per year wasted in the U.S. by idling computers left on over night.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/130078

 

The government could learn a lesson from this. I leave my computer on all the time because it takes 45 minutes to boot up my 3-year-old-dell. IT has it bogged down with so much crap. And they do updates on Friday nights so it's on all weekend too.

 

I used to leave mine on all the time, but changed my position on it to see if the bill would drop. My next electric bill, more than two years ago, was between $10 and $15 cheaper just by turning it off when I was sleeping or out.

I now turn off every electrical device aside from my alarm clock and fridge. Both my cable boxes, which use a ton of energy, are off more than 15 hours a day, and my bill, for electric and gas, is about $26 a month.

 

Mike, do you really expect us to believe you don't leave Saved by the Bell on a continuous loop?

 

I should do this with computers, and they say unplugging your TV at night would make a huge difference as well. But who would do that? You'd have to go through all the setup crap every time. If TV makers wanted to, they could make some kind of bypass for that, but I guess they have a vested interest in you keeping your TV on all the time so it will wear out and you'll need another.

 

In my head, DC. It's always on in my head.

 

My microwave is only plugged in when I'm using it -- which isn't often at all. I've got a clock on my cell phone, so all it's doing it wasting energy and costing precious dollars if left plugged.

 

See, that's fine. Setting up a microwave is a couple of buttons. But setting up a TV, at least mine, is a huge pain in the ass.

 

Put it to sleep or in hibernation. Same difference.

 

Do any of your papers do any type of energy conservation methods?

I'm serious about this? There is a piss pot of money to be saved especially if your newsroom closes at 1 am or so and reopens at 8 am.

 

I just learned on 60 Minutes that overnight is also an excellent time for hackers to invade your 'puter.

 

I saw that, too. Shut down the browser at night.