Computer Overnight: Stand-by, Turn it off, or Unplug everything?

Question

Trying to be more energy conscious here...which is best?

Answer 1

For the computer turn it off, it helps it last longer, and saves as much power as it being unplugged

Answer 2

For the computer, it's okay to just turn it off. You can unplug it, that might save a little more but I don't think it takes in much or any energy.

A TV is different. It turns on much faster, meaning if you want to save energy, don't just turn it off, unplug it. Leaving a computer on standby is like just turning the TV off without unplugging it.

Use a power chord so you can plug everything into one thing and flip the switch instead of having to unplug it all. That's what I do and it's much easier.

Answer 3

Unplug everything. It may seem unnessessary but it stops valuable power going into your PC because even when it is on standby or switched off your computer still uses electricity. If you have any routers etc with lights you will notice that they are still lit up when the PC is off.

Answer 4

In the long term it really doesn't matter.  No matter what you do the power company is not going to feel the difference and will not make any less electricity.

Answer 5

I'm guessing you're asking about the environmental impact of leaving your computer on vs. turning it off. A lot of the answers above seem to have missed the point of your question.

As far as energy consumption goes, it is best to unplug electronics when not in use because they continue to sap electricity even when they aren't turned on.  The biggest culprits are CRT ("old fashioned") monitors and TVs, followed pretty closely by TIVOs.  Of course, if you don't want to crawl under the desk every night and unplug things, you could plug everything in to one power strip and flip the switch at night.  This effectively kills power to the electronics.

One of the posters above ("Dr. Jello") claims that "in the end it doesn't matter" because one person's actions alone will not make a difference.  I guess he is right, but what he forgets is that environmental actions are cumulative, both in the sense of destruction and protection.  While you alone unplugging your computer at night will not make a world of difference, think how much impact it would have if everyone on your block, in your city, in your state, and so on did.  It all has to start with one person. So great job being the one!

Answer 6

I turn my computer off at night. If there is a bad electrical storm unplug.