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Let your computer sleep during breaks

Automatic sleep can reduce electricity while a computer would otherwise remain awake and unused.

I commit
Miniature scene: Leaving the computer awake during a break.
Leaving the computer awake during a break
Miniature scene: Letting automatic sleep take over.
Letting automatic sleep take over
01 / Why this can help

Your scenario, drawn

Awake or asleep during the same break

Awake or asleep during the same breakAwake and idle: 26 kWh; Automatic sleep: 1.04 kWh; Annual difference: -24.96 kilowatt-hours of electricityIN ONE YEARAwake and idle26 kWhAutomatic sleep1.04 kWh026 kWh

Same scale, starting at zero. Change the assumptions to compare the two annual totals.

Sources and scope →
Read the values
Awake and idle26 kWh
Automatic sleep1.04 kWh
Annual difference-24.96 kilowatt-hours of electricity
02 / One possible next step

Set a suitable sleep timeout, then leave the computer idle once and check that the computer itself enters sleep.

03 / Sources and scope

Documented mechanism

What the evidence supports

Automatic sleep can reduce electricity while a computer would otherwise remain awake and unused. Check that the computer itself enters sleep; a dark screen or screen saver is not enough.

Boundary of the claim

Power and compatible idle hours vary by device and workload. The initial wattages are a historical example, not a current average. Count only otherwise-idle hours after the timeout; required processing and external displays are outside this example.

What this simulation calculates

50 W idle and 2 W sleep are an illustrative example in a 2015 California Energy Commission report, not a current average. Hours, days and weeks are hypothetical; use actual device measurements and compatible breaks.

Published coefficients and calculation references

  1. Institutional guidance · U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR

    Computers

    Consulted section (original language): Saving Tips; automatic sleep and screen-saver distinction

    Consultation: Webpage / full text

  2. Technical report · Harinder Singh and Ken Rider, California Energy Commission · 2015

    Analysis of Computers, Computer Monitors, and Signage Displays, CEC-400-2015-009-SD

    Consulted section (original language): Executive Summary, printed page 1, PDF page 14: illustrative 50 W idle and 2 W sleep

    Consultation: full report

Avoid counting the same change twice

Sources reviewed:

Report a data issue

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universalizable.At home / 01

Let your computer sleep during breaks

Miniature scene: Leaving the computer awake during a break. Miniature scene: Letting automatic sleep take over.
Leaving the computer awake during a breakLetting automatic sleep take over

Why this can help

Automatic sleep can reduce electricity while a computer would otherwise remain awake and unused. Check that the computer itself enters sleep; a dark screen or screen saver is not enough.

One possible next step

Set a suitable sleep timeout, then leave the computer idle once and check that the computer itself enters sleep.

What changes the outcome

Power and compatible idle hours vary by device and workload. The initial wattages are a historical example, not a current average. Count only otherwise-idle hours after the timeout; required processing and external displays are outside this example.

universalizable.The action / 02

Your illustrative scenario

Over one year · with the assumptions below

You

24.96 kilowatt-hours of electricity less

You + 10 friends

274.56 kilowatt-hours of electricity less

1,000 participants

24,960 kilowatt-hours of electricity less

These are scenarios, not measured personal or collective savings. One separate device or device group per participant. A shared object is counted once.

Your inputs

Computer power while idle
50 W
Computer power while asleep
2 W
Otherwise-idle hours shifted per day
2 h
Days per week
5
Weeks per year
52

Calculation of the difference: (50 − 2) W × 2 h × 5 × 52 / 1000 = 24.96 kilowatt-hours of electricity

Calculation boundaries

Computer electricity during otherwise-idle hours that genuinely become sleep. External monitors, peripherals and tasks requiring the computer to remain awake are excluded. Do not also count these hours as standby savings.

50 W idle and 2 W sleep are an illustrative example in a 2015 California Energy Commission report, not a current average. Hours, days and weeks are hypothetical; use actual device measurements and compatible breaks.

Sources and calculation references

  1. ComputersU.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR
  2. Analysis of Computers, Computer Monitors, and Signage Displays, CEC-400-2015-009-SDHarinder Singh and Ken Rider, California Energy Commission · 2015

Read the method: universalizable.com/en/method/ · One sheet · print double-sided, long-edge binding

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