click to enlarge
Yes, your screen saver is mesmerizing, but it's not conserving any energy. And instead of letting your computer doze, turn it off if you don't plan to use it for several hours. Left on, a sleeping computer, depending on the model, can use from 15 watts for a laptop to 250 watts for a desktop, not including the monitor. While that amount might seem puny compared to energy-gobbling air-conditioners, heaters and lighting, factor in the cell phone and iPod chargers, clock radios, DVD players and other electronic gadgets that are perennially plugged in, and you're still draining power, watt by watt, from the grid. Coal and nukes are North Carolina's primary energy sources, so by powering down, you're decreasing your use of dirty fuels.
Permitted HTML:
- To create paragraphs in your comment, type <p> at the start of a paragraph and </p> at the end of each paragraph.
- To create bold text, type <b>bolded text</b> (please note the closing tag, </b>).
- To create italicized text, type <i>italicized text</i> (please note the closing tag, </i>).
- Proper web addresses will automatically become links.
Latest in Living Green
-
A mending wall (garden)
Cities have thousands of acres of prime vertical space ripe for the planting.
- Feb 3, 2010
-
Form a sun bloc at solar energy discussion
The UNC Solar Energy Research Center is sponsoring a free public forum, "A Sustainable Energy Future—Mapping the Way," Jan. 15 at the Friday Center.
- Jan 6, 2010
-
Ten eco-pledges for the New Year
10 for 2010
- Dec 30, 2009
- More »
More by Lisa Sorg
-
Famous Durhamites you'll rarely see in public
If you're determined to spot a local star, here's where you might (or might not) find a few.
- May 8, 2013
-
Some facts about the sequester and our most vulnerable citizens
Meals on Wheels could serve 4 million fewer meals to senior citizens. WIC could drop 600,000 women and children from its supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education.
- Mar 13, 2013
- More »
