According to CNet.com editor Jeff Bakalar, "A lot of people keep their computer on 24-7 and unfortunately, a computer that stays on all day is going to take up anywhere from 60 to about 250 watts per day."
Putting it in sleep mode helps, but doesn't always completely cut the waste.
"Sleep mode is kind of responsible for something we call phantom power, which is basically power consumed whenever anything is still plugged into an outlet, it's still consuming some kind of standby power," says Bakalar.
There are a handful of applications that help eliminate the waste. Here are a few to try:
Power Manager ??
Auto Shutdown ? ?
CO-2 saver?
Edison
Conveniently, the programs are easy to use.
"They're self explanatory, there's not a lot of technological jargon you really need to understand in order to operate them," said Bakalar.
