There are a few things you can do to make your computer more efficient:

• One of the biggest things you can do is to either turn the computer completely off or suspend operations.

• Also, the longer you can keep your computer alive the lower your carbon footprint will be. A lot more energy goes into making a computer than is usually used throughout it’s life.

• When you’re ready to get a new computer get one that is specifically designed for efficiency, and most laptops are more efficient than desktops.

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After a certain period of inactivity, your computer should go into sleep mode. This is standard with Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The EPA recommends setting your computer to go into hibernation or system standby after a period of thirty minutes to an hour of no activity. The lower the time you set your computer to hibernate the more energy you will save. If you have a laptop, make sure these settings work when it is running on AC power as well as when it runs on the battery.

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… for a new computer?

 Here are a few things to look for in an efficient computer; we’ll go into more detail in later posts:

• Energy Star: Whenever possible, look for the Energy Star.

• Sleep and idle modes are good, but they will be there already if you’re going with a computer that’s met Energy Star’s requirements. In fact, most things will, so we’ll probably just do one or two posts looking at several different aspects of the Energy Star rating.

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