Conserving Energy

03.26.11: In keeping with the Earth Hour initiative (turn out all lights for one hour at 8:30pm tonight), here are a few other ideas for reducing unnecessary energy use, as per the Vancouver Sun today:

1. TV - buy a new flat panel LED TV. HDTVs can use from 70 to 500 watts depending on size and type.

2. Use "natural" screen setting on your TV. The other modes could use 50% more power.

3. Plasma TVs are much more efficient than previous but still use at least twice as much power as LCDs. The new Panasonic 50" VT25 plasma TV uses 130 watts.

4. When looking for a new TV, look for Energy Star 5.1 (under 55") and 4.1 (over 50").

5. Computers can use as much as TVs (or a 100 watt incandescent bulb), unless in sleep mode (when not in use).

6. When not in use, unplug the computer from the wall.

7. Newer computers are better at conserving energy. Look for the Second Generation Intel Core Processor logo, DDR2 RAM and solid state hard drives.

8. Cell phone chargers should also be unplugged from the wall when not charging.