Resources for the Washington DC area

About
Energy Efficient Computer Monitors
 

You can save up to $100 per computer by activating power management on both the monitor and computers. But you'll need to be using newer equipment that supports this such as an EPA ENERGY STAR monitor.

The amount of power used by computer monitors is so significant that the EPA has started a "Million Monitor Drive" campaign. The goal of the Million Monitor Drive campaign is to see monitor power management (MPM) enabled on one million monitors annually in the U.S.

If you're using an old tube type monitor, now is a great time to switch to a new thin flat monitor. When I did, I found a HUGE reduction in eyestrain. As an odd consequence, I no longer have to worry about my cat knocking over my old (cozy warm on the top) NEC tube monitor. She loved to nap there. But she can't nap on the new thin panel monitor, which generates almost no noticeable warmth. The new monitor also uses about 1/3 the power, 1/2 an amp instead of 1.5 amps.

Power management is a process that allows monitors to enter low-power states when sitting idle. Inactive monitors with enabled power management enter low-power modes by turning off monitor output. By simply hitting the keyboard or moving the mouse, the computer or monitors awakens from its low-power "sleep mode" in seconds.

Look for the little blue and green "ENERGY STAR" sticker on the front of the monitors on display in the store.

By the way, old tube monitors have several pounds of lead in them, which is toxic. Your trash collection may not even take one away. So be sure to dispose of it properly. One facility that takes old monitors is Keep It Green in Alexandria, VA.