PCs consume 80 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity worldwide each year, and much of that total is wasted. PCs and monitors are also responsible for a whopping 40 percent of total IT-sourced carbon emissions. Together, computer and communications technologies account for two percent of global CO2 emissions―an amount equivalent to that of the entire airline industry!

At a time when energy costs for small- and medium-sized businesses are rising faster than the cost of healthcare or payroll, Green IT just makes financial sense. According to industry research released last year, 55 percent of surveyed small businesses were moving toward more green IT departments.

Whether you are responsible for a single home computer or a large technology department, you may find the following suggestions helpful in reducing costs and greening your use of technology: 

  Buy energy-efficient computer products. Enhanced energy efficiency doesn't necessarily translate to higher prices; but if it does, the energy savings can often make up for the difference. You can access an online search tool for ENERGY STAR-qualified computers at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=CO.

  Computer products typically have a lifecycle of between two and three years. Given this rapid obsolescence, consider alternatives to purchasing new computers. Many major computer manufacturers offer leasing options. Others offer take-back programs for certain used equipment so you save disposal and recycling costs.

  Ensure that your computer's hardware and software are upgradable to maximize their useful lives. For more information on techniques to extend the useful life of your computer, you can refer to the article Keeping Old Computers Alive by TechSoup at http://techsoup.org/learningcenter/hardware/page4790.cfm.

  Educate yourself (and, if applicable, your business' computer users) about power management tools, such as sleep and hibernation modes. For example, did you know that a computer in stand-by mode can use nearly as much energy as when operating normally? To save energy, hibernation it is a better choice than sleep mode―and shutting down is even better.

There are now software programs that can power down computers when not in use, based on predetermined time periods and/or periods of inactivity. For more information on power management, you can refer to http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_management.

  Choose online or electronic manuals rather than printed ones, and opt for recycled-content materials and recyclable packaging whenever possible.

  To reduce paper use, you can set your printer to print double-sided. Some printer manufacturers also provide software to assist you in saving paper, ink, and energy. Such software can help to eliminate wasted paper and ink by not printing pages that include only a banner ad, a legal disclaimer, or a logo or URL.

  Know your recycling options for computers and other electronic products. Washington residents can call 1-800-RECYCLE to find local recycling services, or check online at http://1800recycle.wa.gov/. Additional online recycling tools are available at http://1800recycle.wa.gov/other_tools.html.

Mike Basilicato is Bader Martin's Manager of Information Technology Services.

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