Re: [PLUG] monitor energy use

["kaze" <kaze@voicenet.com>]

http://yosemite1.epa.gov/estar/consumers.nsf/content/monitor.htm
An ENERGY STAR labeled monitor can reduce the energy associated with
monitors by up to 90%.
ENERGY STAR labeled monitors automatically power down to 15 watts or less
when not in use. To wake up a monitor, all you have to do is simply touch
the keyboard or mouse. ENERGY STAR labeled monitors emit less heat than
conventional monitors, and may save you money on your air conditioning
costs.

http://www.epa.gov/nrgystar/purchasing/6a_c&m.html#specs_cm
Key Product Criteria for ENERGY STAR Labeled Monitors (effective July 1,
1999)
Low-Power Mode: First Low-Power "Sleep Mode" Maximum Watts in Low-Power
State: < 15 Watts
Low-Power Mode: Second Low-Power "Deep Sleep" Mode Maximum Watts in
Low-Power State: < 8 Watts

Now I recall that regular TVs draw a little juice when turned off and
plugged in, by design, to minimize the length of time to power and warm up
to the point where the can display a nice visible image. So if your away for
2 weeks, your TV is sitting there the whole time drawing a little tiny inny
bit of power the whole time so that when you finally do turn it on you can
start watching it in 7 seconds instead of 22... so switched off should be
between 0 and 8 Watts. Unplugged or on another switch, 0. You can see this
if you look out of the corner of your eye in the _dark_ at a TV which has
been off for a while - there is a very faint glow there.

I think a reason manufacturers recommend using the integrated power button
is for things like ink jet printers being able to arrange themselves by for
example moving the print heads back to a spot where they wont dry out, or a
overhead projector being able to still run a fan to cool the bulb off at the
right rate.

http://www.tweak3d.net/tweak/monitor/2.shtml
It is in your best interest to do everything possible to extend the life of
your existing monitor - not only will it 'last longer' but it will also
remain more vibrant.  Here are a few things you can do:
-	Disable power saving mode and manually turn off the monitor if you won't
be using it for an extended period of time.  Power saving modes on CRTs
stress the internal components of the monitor a great deal and can wear out
a monitor prematurely.
-	Avoid turning your monitor on and off several times during the day - and
if you do turn it off only do it for extended periods of 'away time' (at
least an hour).  Turning a monitor on and off frequently enhances the drift
effect (making it necessary to recalibrate the monitor) and can damage the
monitor.
-	As I said earlier, keep the ventilation holes on the back of the monitor
clear of debris to avoid overheating, as the excess heat can damage the
internal components of the monitor.
-	Rather than using the pass-thru cable from the power supply to the monitor
(as many older computers do), it is advisable to plug the monitor directly
into a port in the wall or in your power strip.  This will eliminate one
possible cause of power fluxuation and as such improve the overall life of
your monitor.

==> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 15:05:44 -0800 (PST)
==> From: multiple seriousity <msimons@slackware.com>
==> To: PLUG listserv <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
==> Subject: Re: [PLUG] monitor energy use
==> Reply-To: plug@lists.phillylinux.org
==>
==> On Fri, 11 Jan 2002, kaze wrote:
==> > I know the main power draw of my computers is the monitor. Is
==> having it turn
==> > 'off' under software truly the same as pushing the power button on the
==> > monitor or is it still using a little juice?
==>
==> If it's an energystar rated monitor, or other electric device, you can
==> find the details on it at http://www.energystar.gov
==>
==> Even pushing the button on the monitor -- it might still be in 'standby'
==> thus using a little bit of juice -- the only real way to know
==> it isnt.. is
==> an old fashioned style toggle switch that definitely cuts the
==> circuit (like
==> on a power strip or power center) or of course, unplugging it.

==> From: Bob Razler <Bob@Razler.com>
==> To: "'plug@lists.phillylinux.org'" <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
==> Subject: RE: [PLUG] monitor energy use
==> Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 08:07:37 -0500
==> Reply-To: plug@lists.phillylinux.org
==>
==> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
==> Hash: SHA1
==>
==> I have always heard that the energy saving features are worse for
==> your monitor then turning it off manually.
==>
==> Here is a good general monitor article:
==>
==> http://www.tweak3d.net/tweak/monitor/
==>
==> Bob

==> Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 05:52:34 -0800 (PST)
==> From: multiple seriousity <msimons@slackware.com>
==> To: plug@lists.phillylinux.org
==> Subject: Re: [PLUG] monitor energy use
==> Reply-To: plug@lists.phillylinux.org
==>
==> On Mon, 14 Jan 2002, Arthur S. Alexion wrote:
==> > The cost -- even at full on -- is minimal.
==>
==> This, depending upon your viewpoint, is debatable.  Personally, I've
==> managed to get my electric power usage down to 4.5kWh a day,
==> and could get
==> it down even lower if I replaced all my bulbs with compact
==> fluorescents..
==> which I haven't yet.  An LCD monitor, or even one energy star
==> rated would
==> also help.  So, the issue can be looked at many ways... the
==> impact of the
==> power generation on the environment, the type of power
==> generation you use,
==> your personal exonomic standing, how frugal one is or wants to be, the
==> cost you pay for electric (I believe businesses actually get it much
==> cheaper than homeowners, but for homeowners.. at least inside
==> philadelphia,
==> mack services group's standard plan is currently the cheapest if you
==> weren't part of the test-switch of power choice - which has different
==> rates.) I'm also aware of one guy locally who I believe, in a row home,
==> generates all or nearly all of his own power needs, by solar, with extra
==> to sell back to the grid.
==>
==> The question I have is what is
==> > better for wear and tear on the monitor itself?
==>
==> Well that is a good article that has been mentioned... one thing I would
==> as, as I think I mentioned before... is to have the monitor
==> plugged into a
==> power strip, or power center with individual switches, and when you want
==> to turn off the monitor, turn it off from the power center..
==> that way you
==> don't cause wear and tear on the monitor's switch.
==>
==> Of course, a lot of issues around "what is better for wear and tear
==> on" _fill_in_blank_here_ have advice or information that in most cases,
==> may or might not be just speculation and old wives tales.
==> Things like my
==> advice above, might not be true based on any sort of complex electronics
==> that may or may not be built into the device.  Who really knows without
==> actual tests and detailed knowledge of the individual systems?
==>
==> For example, doesn't everybody's printers (at least, ink jet,
==> and I assume
==> laser also) suggest ONLY shutting down a printer from it's own power
==> switch, and making sure that it's not on the same power strip as
==> everything else, so you don't accidentally shut it down when you turn
==> everything else off at the strip?


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