Energy-Efficient Computing Is Now Within Reach

(NewsUSA) - Due to rising energy costs, the average household spent 16 percent more on energy bills in 2005 than in 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This year, the increase is projected to be even more dramatic.

Higher energy prices and greater environmental awareness have made energy consumption more of a factor in consumer decision-making, whereas in the past, buying electronics was largely based on trends and the "fun factor."

With computers and appliances making up about 20 percent of all consumer energy consumption, according to the Department of Energy, manufacturers are introducing more energy-efficient offerings to help consumers reduce their energy use.

Hewlett-Packard, for example, has approximately 1,000 Energy Star-certified products, including monitors and desktop computers. If left inactive, Energy Star-qualified computers enter a low-power sleep mode and reduce their energy use to 15 watts or less. All of HP's Laser Jet products require less than 1 watt in "off" mode.

HP's PCs come with power management features already enabled. These features save up to 381 kilowatts or 137 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year.

Twelve people using the power-saving features on their computer have the same reduction in carbon dioxide as taking a car off the road for an entire year.

HP's own internal business practices are geared toward energy consumption as well. The company's telework program supports 11,400 employees who work remotely all around the world, thus reducing travel-related energy consumption. HP has saved more than 2 million round-trip commutes in the U.S. and Canada.

Overall in 2005, the company exceeded its goal to implement efficiency projects, saving more than 43 million kilowatts.

For more information on energy-efficient computing, visit www.hp.com/environment.