Energy Costs of Home Computers

My husband recently bought me an iPad so of course I had to compare energy usage to other types of home computers.  We have TOU hydro pricing so anytime we can reduce our energy usage, we do so not only for financial savings but as part of our energy conservation efforts.  I found Saving Electricity to be quite helpful.

On average the annual cost to operate:

• typical desktop - as high as $631
• iMac G5 20" - $5.50
• laptop - $8
• iPad - $1.36
• iPhone - 25¢

I replaced the old typical desktop with CRT monitor a number of years ago with an iBook G3 which was replaced with an iMac G4 17" so the annual cost to operate the iMac is a little lower than $5.50.  We each have a laptop which costs a bit more to operate annually but offer greater mobility and they still work during power outages.  My husband has an iPhone with a data plan and I have an iPad equipped with Wi-Fi.  Both of these products offer mobility with low energy use.  All but the typical desktop can be set up to be operated on solar power or for solar charging. 

During high peak pricing, the frugal way for us to access online is the iPad or the iPhone but the iPad is actually cheaper because it connects to our router, not using up the data plan on the phone but using the iMac is rather frugal as well.  We also take advantage of charging laptops, the iPhone and iPad when traveling longer distances in the car.  Since moving into town we do a lot less traveling but charging mobile devices while traveling is cost effective.  We have essentially reduced out energy usage for home computing about as low as we can get. 

Now here is something to consider.  A lot of newer televisions are equipped to be connected to a laptop to be used as a monitor.  I know we can with our Magnavox 37" television as well as the smaller twin Phillips in the games room.   A big screen television can cost you as much as $100 possibly more to operate depending on your usage and age of television.  Using the television screen as a computer monitor adds extra energy cost for no reason if using for home computing.  The extra cost may be warranted if watching a movie or television show via computer using the television as a monitor but not on a daily basis.  However, if watching television and movies via the computer using your television meets your needs you may be able to eliminate satellite tv or cable realizing a substantial annual savings.  Just be aware if using this set up for home computing it does coast more in energy usage.

The Down and Dirty on Keyboards

My Keyboard

September 6, 2010

I am not a germaphobe but I like things reasonably clean.  Our main computer keyboard is used on a daily basis several times a day unless we are away.  While it is used mainly by my husband and me, it is also used on occasion by one or more of our kids and friends.  I do the old dust off routine so it usually doesn't look too bad.  The other day my husband said he heard that computer keyboards were less sanitary than toilets.  Well that doesn't surprise me all that much since most kitchen sinks are less sanitary than toilets [something to think about].  So I pondered his statement then decided to act because I couldn't remember the last time I gave the keyboard a good cleaning.  Note that I said I couldn't remember when not that I haven't cleaned it.  I've heard a lot of ways to clean a keyboard including putting it into the dishwasher.  Here's the way I clean ours:

• unplug from the computer - Ours is a MAC but this method works on a PC as well.
• turn the keyboard over and hold on an angle resting on solid surface
• lightly tap the keyboard to dislodge any larger pieces dust or dirt
• vacuum the keyboard to get any remaining dust or dirt
• wipe the surface of the keys with rubbing alcohol
• dip a Q-tip into rubbing alcohol to clean between each key, changing Q-tip as needed
• any stains that remain can be removed with a Mr. Clean magic eraser
• wipe the surface again with rubbing alcohol
• plug the keyboard back into the computer - The keyboard is now clean and sanitized ready for use.

This method also works well for other well used surfaces like telephones handsets, cell phones, computer mouse and control devices.  Tapping may not be necessary for some items. Using the rubbing alcohol will not only get the surfaces squeaky clean but help spread germs during cold and flu season.

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