February 10th, 2011 
Tushar Mathur 
I know that your computer and monitor and peripherals may be beige, black, charcoal grey or blue (or even pink for that matter), but have you considered how to make them green? Metaphorically speaking, that is. Almost everyone I know has two or three computers and works on them practically 24/7, so how do we make them as energy efficient, carbon footprint- reducing and eco-friendly as possible? I’ve got a few tips to help:
1) If you aren’t in your office, either at home or at your place of business, then make sure that all computers and their monitors are switched off! You can install EMO software to switch off the machines automatically, if staff keep forgetting.
2) Monitors can be turned off if they’re not needed, if your computer is used as a server.
3) If you are going to be away from your desk for an hour or even less if it’s convenient, switch off the computer. It’s doesn’t take very long for modern operating systems to boot up.
4) Try as short a time period as possible in your power management systems on the computer. If you can get away with 10 minutes before the computer turns off, then use that setting. This really saves energy.
5) Think before you print! Emblazon that on your forehead (figuratively speaking — you’d scare off customers if you had it tattooed on or something). Avoid printing draft documents or emails if you can.
6) Use an external hard drive or large USB memory sticks to store documents. It saves on space and they are a lot prettier than ugly grey filing cabinets, anyway. With the space saved you can play soccer inside your office on breaks.
7) Try and keep document transmission on and via the computer. Cut back on messenger services and mail and you’ll also reduce energy usage that way as well, because paper costs a lot to make, both fuel and energy wise, and tree usage as well,.
8) Use smaller margins, perhaps half inch instead of inch and a little smaller type size and you’ll cut back on the amount of paper you use substantially. Make sure that everyone can read the text though, when it’s printed out. I always have my “view” mode in my text program set to 200% so I can read what I’m typing, no matter if the text will print smaller. Do make sure that if the pages are being bound, that there’s enough room at least on the left margin so that text won’t be hidden. If brass fasteners are being used (for three hole punched paper for instance) then a 1.5″ margin on the left will leave enough room.
9) Desktop computers may use between 40-50 watts. Larger monitors use more energy, but some more than others. They can consume on an average of 60 watts, so have them go to sleep as soon as is feasible. Laptop computers are more energy efficient and have the screen built in, of course. LCD monitors take up less space, are handsomer, and they save energy. It’s actually hard to find some of those old-fashioned bulky monitors anymore.
If your office runs on a network, then whenever you buy equipment, make sure it’s going to be compatible. Not all computers work together in harmony. The goal is to have an efficient network — whether it’s two computers, or two hundred.
Lloyd Burrell enjoys writing reviews on executive office desk furniture. Lloyd’s reviews reflect the fact that most offices put price before the environment but fortunately there is a growing trend towards eco friendly office desk furnishings.
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