Tip #1 - Computers, Sleep Mode Tool, Computer Energy Consumption
Tip #2 - L.E.D. Lights
Tip #3 - Setback Thermostats
Tip #4 - Block Heaters
Tip #5 - Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs

Tip #1

Computers
Sleep Mode Tool
Computer Energy Consumption

There are two very easy ways to save significant amounts of energy and money.

1. Shut off your computer at night.

2. Enable the "sleep mode" on your monitor by using the Sleep Mode Tool for Windows XP. For users with operating systems other than XP, contact Information Technology Solutions for instructions.

These measures reduce direct energy use. In addition, they reduce the heat load that needs to be moderated by the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) system.

Sleep Mode Tool for Windows XP

1. Right click on your desktop

2. Click Properties

3. Click on the Screensaver Tab

4. In the Monitor Power section click Power

5. When that window opens up, click the Power schemes tab

6. Under the section "Settings for Home/Office desk power schemes," change the setting for your monitor to turn off after ____ minutes. (Recommended time is 5 minutes). This means that if there is no activity on your computer for more than 5 minutes, the monitor will go into "sleep mode." As soon as you touch your keyboard or mouse, it will reactivate again.

Computer Energy Consumption with a 15” Monitor

• Condition:  Computer under heavy use (hard drive seeking/saving 50% of the time)
• Power consumption (Watts): 72
  
   
• Condition: Idle computer (or in monitor screensaver mode)
• Power consumption (Watts): 40
  
   
• Condition: Computer SHUTDOWN
• Power consumption (Watts): 4
  
   
• Condition: Monitor in use
• Power consumption (Watts): 60 (75 for a 17" monitor)
  
   
• Condition: Monitor during screensaver mode
• Power consumption (Watts): 50
  
   
• Condition: Monitor during “SLEEP” mode
• Power consumption (Watts): 5 (92% reduction!)
  
   
• Condition: Monitor SHUTDOWN
• Power consumption (Watts): 3

* Measurements taken on RRC computers

• Desktop System Configuration: Computer and monitor “ON” constantly
• Annual Consumption: 936,602 kWh
• Annual Cost in consumption: $18,825.70
• Annual Savings: $0.00
  
   
• Desktop System Configuration: Screensaver enabled*
• Annual Consumption: 867,940 kWh
• Annual Cost in consumption: $17,455.60
• Annual Savings: $1,380.10
  
   
• Desktop System Configuration: Screensaver enabled for daytime & monitor in sleep mode at night**
• Annual Consumption: 639,211 kWh
• Annual Cost in consumption: $12,848.14
• Annual Savings: $5,977.56
  
   
• Desktop System Configuration: Screensaver enabled for daytime, with computer nightly shutdown & monitor night sleep mode***
• Annual Consumption: 460,206 kWh
• Annual Cost in consumption: $9,250.14
• Annual Savings: $9,575.56
  
   
• Desktop System Configuration: Screensaver enabled for daytime, with computer & monitor nightly shutdown
• Annual Consumption: 455,234 kWh
• Annual Cost in consumption: $9,150.20
• Annual Savings: $9,150.20

*This is the configuration in most classrooms and a few offices
**This is the configuration in most offices
***This is the configuration in very few offices

Tip #2

L.E.D. Lights
L.E.D. (Light Emitting Diode) Holiday Lights
Cost factor: Low/Medium
Energy savings: High
Technical difficulty: Low

* L.E.D.seasonal decorative lights, such as Christmas lights are available to replace existing incandescent light strings.
* L.E.D. lights consume less than 1% of the electricity used by a comparable string of incandescent holiday lights.
* Another key product feature is that these lights last WAY longer than incandescent lights. L.E.D. lights have a rated life of 50,000 hours (which represents 20 years of normal usage) compared to only 600-1,000 hours for incandescent. So yes, they may cost a few dollars more initially, but the pay back is very fast.
For expert advice on home energy efficiency, visit EnerGuide for Houses

On a per capita basis, Canada is the largest consumer of energy in the world and the second largest producer of greenhouse gases. We use as much energy as the entire continent of Africa, home to 700 million people.
~ Suzuki Foundation

Tip #3

Setback Thermostats
Cost factor: Low/Medium
Energy savings: High
Technical difficulty: Medium

• Reduces energy consumption in the home by automatically reducing the temperature in the house to a specific level for specified periods during the day or night.
• An 8 hour night setback of 5 degrees Celsius will pay back the cost of the thermostat in about 2 years. And then SAVE$, SAVE$, SAVE$
• The dual setback feature is even better. You can program it to turn down during the day, when you aren’t there, and at night - and have it warm up just in time for your wake-up or for your homecoming! The 7 day option allows you to set the weekdays and the weekends.

We confuse ourselves into thinking that we are producing oil.
When what we are really doing is digging it up and burning it.
~Rocky Mountain Institute

Tip #4

Block Heaters
Cost factor: Low/Medium
Energy savings: High
Technical difficulty: Low

For convenience, many of us plug in our vehicle’s block heater when we arrive home at night. That means the block heater can be on an average of 14 hours a day. A maximum of four hours is needed to preheat an engine. These additional hours every day waste energy and cost you money — over $22.00 a month for each vehicle that is plugged in. If you have an in-car warmer plugged in with your block heater, you could be using as much as $48.00 every month. Over the winter it can add up quickly! It pays to use an outdoor timer or power saver cord.

Automatic Outdoor Timers
Automatic timers have an hourly setting that turns the power on and off at preset times. By setting the timer to provide power to the block heater three hours before using the vehicle, you can save as much as 80% of your plug-in costs.

There are two types of timers available. A manual timer has a 24 hour clock. The desired on-off times are set with pins. The times you set will be the same each day of the week. A programmable electronic timer offers more flexibility. A seven day program allows for different settings for selected days during the week and weekends. Remember to use an outdoor timer. They are best able to withstand the cold, snow and rain of our winters.

Plug In Costs
Have you ever wondered what it costs to plug in a block heater for 3, 10, 14 and 24 hours a day? The following chart can help you out. Remember a maximum of four hours is needed as the engine doesn’t get any warmer when it’s plugged in for extended periods of time. When both a block heater and an in-car warmer are plugged in, your energy costs more than double.
*Calculations use an electricity price of 6¢/kWh. Actual electricity prices may vary.

(Note * Manitoba’s residential rates range from 5.16 cents/kWh to 5.78 cents/kWh, so the costs will be slightly lower – for now.)

Why Four Hours?
A study conducted at the University of Saskatchewan found that about 95% of the maximum possible temperature is obtained by the end of the fourth hour. The results indicate that keeping the block plugged in for more than four hours (where there is continuous power) is a waste of electrical energy.
Source: MB Hydro Fact Sheet

* All of this information is based on a well-maintained gasoline powered vehicle.

Tip #5

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Cost factor: Low
Energy savings: Medium
Technical difficulty: Low

Save 75% of your lighting costs with the flip of a switch!

No, we don’t want to live in the dark, so the next best option is compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s). CFL’s have improved tremendously. They are much cheaper, brighter, smaller and have a better light quality. An added benefit is that they last 10 times longer, which means changing light bulbs less often. You can’t go wrong!