If you’re like many Americans out there, you own more than one computer, and most likely you keep them on at all times. But did you know according to Andrew Herdrich of TechReviewer.com, “the average owner of a high-end computer system spends about $100 [more] per year in electricity bills, if the computer is left on 24/7.”

That information opened my eyes to start doing my part to help my pocket book, and the environment. I usually kept my 3 computers and my 1 laptop powered on at one times to be able to transfer files and information. Come on who wants to have to boot up a computer every time you need to use it!? But these staggering figures are enough to change my actions and should be enough to change yours. Taking the few extra seconds out of your life to boot up the computer is well worth your effort. You can lower your electric bill and help save the polar bears!

But what about notebooks? Isn’t using a battery better for the environment?

Well yes and no; in theory if you had a battery that could use less electricity to charge and use more to discharge, you might then have a more eco-friendly system. But I haven’t seen anything like that around; electricity used to charge you battery is still equal to the amount you use. Remember, a battery is just holding the charge, not generating it.

Also consider what goes into making a lithium battery; chemicals galore are jammed into that little plastic stick. If you broke one open and dumped it into a small pond, you would kill the pond’s entire ecosystem!

The best solution I can think of is a solar powered battery charger; more and more research is going on every day to utilize solar power in consumer electronics. Hopefully in the near future, all of our electronics will be powered by that big bright star in the sky.

But for now, the easiest thing you can do is unplug your computers and laptops when you’re NOT USING THEM! We all need to take action and save this one planet we have.

Your comments are always welcome!

[tags]environment, geeks, computers, laptops, solar, tech, world[/tags]