To balance energy savings and convenience, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you turn off the monitor if you aren’t going to use your computer for 20 minutes or so, but shut down everything if it will be more than two hours. You should put your monitor, printer and all other computer-related accessories on a power strip/surge protector so you easily can switch it off if you aren’t going to use your PC for an extended period. This will to prevent your system from drawing power while off.
Most newer PCs have a power-down or sleep mode. Be sure you set up this feature through your operating system software or it won’t work. ENERGY STAR® computers consume about 70 percent less power in sleep mode and ENERGY STAR® monitors power down to less than 10 percent of their operating power consumption. Amazing difference!
If you don’t have a PC with the power-down feature, don’t worry about wearing your computer out by turning it off and on too frequently. Most likely, advances in technology will require you to upgrade long before any negative effects from this occur. Remember that in general, the less time a PC is on, the longer it will last. But consider your time also. If it takes forever to shut down and boot up, maybe you want to leave it running all day and just shut down when you go to bed.
For more tips on increasing energy efficiency in your home, visit www.energysavers.gov.