Do you leave your PC's on?

[HFE Signs]

With the current energy dilemma, we've been brainstorming ways to save energy, something cropped up that I really think is worthy of sharing with you guys.

Historically (well up until tonight) we've always left our office computers switched on. Some will need to remain on for RD connection and the servers, but we can switch off 11 computers each night.

Each computer has a 500-550W power supply but typically runs at 180W, so the calculation is as follows:

11 x 180W = 1.98kW @ 82p per kWh = £1.62 per hour

We can go from 24hr running to 8hrs running - a saving of 16hrs per day!

That's £25.92 per day - £808.52 over a 31 day month saving.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

Your numbers and math is complete off!

A typical PC would consume 5 watts in sleep mode that's pretty much it so all in your would save around £8 for the full month not £808.

I'd be surprised in S4 it would be more than 2W/H to be honest on a modern kit.

For RDC it's Wake on Lan, job done.

Install Linux and you can save another 1W/h for sure

 

[HFE Signs]

Your numbers and math is complete off!

A typical PC would consume 5 watts in sleep mode that's pretty much it so all in your would save around £8 for the full month not £808

For RDC it's Wake on Lan, job done.

Install Linux and you can save another 1W/h for sure

None of our computers are set to sleep though, and it's not math, it's maths

 

[WaveJumper]

Have no servers but completely shut down my whole trading system if not sitting in front of screens, and after picking up some tips from another thread on saving energy I purchased a set of those remote controlled plug adaptors, everything goes off at night and its made a big saving over the last few months.

Now I will admit to relenting to the she who must be obeyed and have put some Christmas lights up around the porch.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I don't shut anything off because it might not restart again a bit like myself!

 

[DontAsk]

I purchased a set of those remote controlled plug adaptors,

This.

Even in the days of cheap energy we would switch everything off, including the router, to stop the kids using it. Router is left in now as it's needed for the Telly, its's not on a remote switch and the plug is difficult to get to.

 

[Mr D]

If a computer is needed to run something or download some stuff I'll leave it on.
Or occasionally I'm using it for a conference while working on my works laptop - 2 laptops running all day.

When not in use and not needed to be on I'll at least close the cover if just a break or shut down if finished for the day.
Only a little power saved, adds up over the years.

 

[HFE Signs]

I don't shut anything off because it might not restart again a bit like myself!

That’s exactly how I was thinking

 

[DontAsk]

I don't shut anything off because it might not restart again a bit like myself!

A major cause of failure is thermal stress during power up/down, i.e., warming and cooling.

 

[HFE Signs]

A major cause of failure is thermal stress during power up/down, i.e., warming and cooling.

True but it’s not as significant these days with modern materials, computers are much more durable than they were 20-30 years ago, especially with SSD drives

 

[SillyBill]

I always came to the conclusion it was a false economy i.e. having expensive staff idling for longer as they're booting up machines first thing in the morning costs more than the pence saved by switching off completely (assuming like us, they go into sleep mode using negligible electricity). And like previous contributor, I also think constant switch of/switch off is likely to shorten the life of a device more too, impossible to know on that but intuition suggests the boot up process does put a fair bit of strain onto a computer.

 

[BubbaWY]

I used to leave my computer at home on all the time until I put my smart meter display next to it. I was curious so switched the computer off and my useage went down from 10p an hour to 8p. Thats a saving of £175.20 a year!

 

[Newchodge]

I was told, admittedly years ago, that you should switch off every night as that was when updates were processed. Is that still true? (If it ever was?)

 

[fisicx]

It’s not just computers. Think of all the electronic devices sitting on standby all day everyday. Might only be a couple of pence per device but it soon adds up over the year. Even worst is the office fridge (often left nearly empty) and water heaters on all night.

 

[fantheflames]

With the current energy dilemma, we've been brainstorming ways to save energy, something cropped up that I really think is worthy of sharing with you guys.

Historically (well up until tonight) we've always left our office computers switched on. Some will need to remain on for RD connection and the servers, but we can switch off 11 computers each night.

Each computer has a 500-550W power supply but typically runs at 180W, so the calculation is as follows:

11 x 180W = 1.98kW @ 82p per kWh = £1.62 per hour

We can go from 24hr running to 8hrs running - a saving of 16hrs per day!

That's £25.92 per day - £808.52 over a 31 day month saving.

That can't be right...

Might have to switch to my laptop...

 

[AlanJ1]

That can't be right...

Might have to switch to my laptop...

It's not. Read the second post which is the real answer. Still a good point from the OP and a saving to be had but it's pence per day not pounds.

 

[DanH]

After our scheduled backups are done and and the daily antivirus check, all our PCs shut down automatically overnight and then manually restarted in the morning.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

None of our computers are set to sleep

How old is your tech? 180W/h idling makes no sense.


Any modern PC running running idle not in sleep mode would use 25/ 35 Watts. Brand new ones can go as low as 10W if just on idling. You throw in S4 sleep mode and this goes down to under 1W/H with wake on Lan to get RDC access if req.

I don't really see your problem here apart from ****ing with Greta Thunberg head and make her cry again.

I was told, admittedly years ago, that you should switch off every night as that was when updates were processed. Is that still true? (If it ever was?)

It all depends how smart IT was and set it up. In todays world running W10/11 auto update and patching is smart on it's own.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

r, I also think constant switch of/switch off is likely to shorten the life of a device more too, impossible to know on that but intuition suggests the boot up process does put a fair bit of strain onto a computer.

It doesn't at all, the only stress would be on the power button. There are exceptions in very cold environments and thermal issues. There is more stress running the system at 100% or overclocked than booting up. This is not a car engine.

Boot from sleep is 2 - 4 seconds not sure what waiting time you talk about.

 

[HFE Signs]

I was told, admittedly years ago, that you should switch off every night as that was when updates were processed. Is that still true? (If it ever was?)

A boot cycle is still good practice to reset any glitches and clear the ram

 

[HFE Signs]

That can't be right...

Might have to switch to my laptop...

In our case it is, our desktops (eleven of them) were not set to sleep and they are quite old. They are all used for graphic design so quite power hungry. Hopefully others are not wasting as much as we were until yesterday.

 

[Bob Morgan]

OFF at the end of every day. PSUs on Desktop Machines & Server are replaced as part of Annual Maintenance.

 

[Mr D]

I always came to the conclusion it was a false economy i.e. having expensive staff idling for longer as they're booting up machines first thing in the morning costs more than the pence saved by switching off completely (assuming like us, they go into sleep mode using negligible electricity). And like previous contributor, I also think constant switch of/switch off is likely to shorten the life of a device more too, impossible to know on that but intuition suggests the boot up process does put a fair bit of strain onto a computer.

How long does it take to boot up the system?

This laptop has my security on it, time to boot up and get started working is around 30 seconds. I spend longer than that making a cup of tea to start the day with.

 

[DontAsk]

I was told, admittedly years ago, that you should switch off every night as that was when updates were processed. Is that still true? (If it ever was?)

Then you would miss the updates. Or do you mean the process of switching them back on? On Windows you can schedule when it does updates so they do not interfere with the working day.

Theoretically, switching your router off every night can lead to the exchange thinking there is a fault in the line and lowering the speed. It was never a problem when I used to do it, however.

 

[DontAsk]

OFF at the end of every day. PSUs on Desktop Machines & Server are replaced as part of Annual Maintenance.

Just like rewiring a house every 25 years, regardless of need?

As a kid I had an endless supply af AA and C batteries from my Dad as his employer would replace them in test equipment to a set schedule.

 

[Bob Morgan]

Just like rewiring a house every 25 years, regardless of need?

As a kid I had an endless supply af AA and C batteries from my Dad as his employer would replace them in test equipment to a set schedule.

About a Tenner for Power Supply - How much is the cost of downtime?

 

[DontAsk]

About a Tenner for Power Supply - How much is the cost of downtime?

If they have a process to replace them, I'm guessing they are also paying a lot more than that.

Or perhaps they know they need to replace them as they buy cheap crap?

 

[Bob Morgan]

If they have a process to replace them, I'm guessing they are also paying a lot more than that.

Or perhaps they know they need to replace them as they buy cheap crap?

Like the used batteries? What were they used for? - Pacemakers?

 

[DontAsk]

Like the used batteries? What were they used for? - Pacemakers?

I didn't buy them. Used in Lego, Meccano, various experiments from Ladybird books, and the like.

They worked fine, just like your power supplies and house wiring would continue to do.

 

[WaveJumper]

I digress ........ getting a set of Meccano for Christmas, oh those were the days, now I just get socks

 

[SillyBill]

How long does it take to boot up the system?

This laptop has my security on it, time to boot up and get started working is around 30 seconds. I spend longer than that making a cup of tea to start the day with.

Rhetorical question I assume as surprisingly not got my stopwatch out.

I am militant on time saving admittedly as its the only commodity one can't buy. Notwithstanding staff costs, I don't think it unreasonable to think business owners themselves to be on six figures+ a year, £60-100 an hour as a going rate so seconds cost more than energy does, don't need a calculator or a stopclock to work that out. I guess if earning (or paying people low rates), say £10 an hour, you might be more laissez-faire about the costs of time. In my instance at least, it is a non-starter. I get your point on easing yourself into the day, each to their own.

 

[NickGrogan]

About a Tenner for Power Supply - How much is the cost of downtime?

Where are you sourcing 1200W PC power supplies for £10?

 

[NickGrogan]

When I worked in recruitment in London, I discovered that there was a second office, off of the main office. 35 PCs powered up all day every day, just in case anyone needed to use them. There were about 60 pcs and 40 staff in the main office.

 

[Bob Morgan]

Where are you sourcing 1200W PC power supplies for £10?

I do not need 1,200W

 

[Gecko001]

Your numbers and math is complete off!

A typical PC would consume 5 watts in sleep mode that's pretty much it so all in your would save around £8 for the full month not £808.

I'd be surprised in S4 it would be more than 2W/H to be honest on a modern kit.

For RDC it's Wake on Lan, job done.

Install Linux and you can save another 1W/h for sure

When I checked my desktop computer power usage with a meter, to my surprise I found that it uses 14 Watts when plugged in to the mains socket, BEFORE it is switched on at the computer. That means that if you have it switched off, but still on at the socket in the wall for say 16 hours a day, then that adds up to 0.22 kWh per day which perhaps does not look very much at first sight. However, 16Watts is the equivalent to three LED desk lamps or one very bright LED ceiling lamp.

 

[The Byre]

Enough misinformation and lack of technical knowledge here to keep me typing for over an hour - so I won't!

But there is no power-up stress as PCs do not use transformers and the capacitors will last at least 20 years - usually double that.

Use reduces the lifespan of electronics as it makes it hot and heat causes components to deteriorate. Switch off at night and it will all last longer as well as save a little bit on electricity.

 

[DontAsk]

Enough misinformation and lack of technical knowledge here to keep me typing for over an hour - so I won't!

Please dont. You are just perpetuating it

But there is no power-up stress as PCs do not use transformers and the capacitors will last at least 20 years - usually double that.

It's nothing to do with transformers or capacitors.

Use reduces the lifespan of electronics as it makes it hot and heat causes components to deteriorate. Switch off at night and it will all last longer as well as save a little bit on electricity.

At least you understand that much.

Thermal cycling due to powering on and off can, and does, cause failures.

I suggest you do some research.

 

[NickGrogan]

PCs do not use transformers

Which PCs don't use transformers? Every power supply I've seen has one in.

My eldest has got thru 3 power supplies in the last 5 years - it's a high spec computer that's running hot for about 18 hours per day. Every power supply has failed during startup, never whilst running.

 

[DontAsk]

Which PCs don't use transformers? Every power supply I've seen has one in.

And every motherboard that has Ethernet.

 

[The Byre]

Which PCs don't use transformers? Every power supply I've seen has one in.

Regulated (via the Zenner diode!) transformerless PS -

PS with a transformer -

Unregulated PS with a transformer -

Open up your PCs and find the transformer! There isn't one!

Thermal cycling due to powering on and off can, and does, cause failures.

They often fail whilst powering up, but not because of powering up.

O-level physics - it shouldn't hurt!