Power Saving and Computers

We are looking at implementing a power saving regime in the district. We’d ask you that if you are done using your computer for the day to shut it off. Although a quick look through schools shows that many machines in classrooms and labs are left on 24/7.

Desktop computers use around 100W at idle, and only a few in standby. We’d like to set a regime that turns your computer on/off  early in the morning and later in the afternoon. Using regular windows tools this is a free endeavour although we will run some testing to make sure they don’t turn off while you are working. We’d like your feedback on the categories and times below.

On/Off for Teacher/Clerical computers 730am/500pm

Standby if inactive Teacher/Clerical computers 30min

On/Off for Lab computers 800am/400pm

Standby if inactive for Lab computers 30 min

You would of course be welcome to shut off your machine if you know it won’t be used past 1pm! 10 hours of time for one computer running at idle costs around 6-8 cents.

At 1000 desktop PCs a 10 hour day costs become potentially:

  • $60-$80 per day
  • $10920 – $14560 for 182 days of instruction

Please share your thoughts, are those good times for an automatic on/off? What else should we know?