In a recent study by a Stanford professor it was found that in 1995, the total power consumption of US servers was 0.6 percent of overall US electricity consumption. When cooling equipment is added, that number doubles to 1.2 percent—the same amount used by color televisions.
My electriciy usage isn’t quite on the same scale, but over the last couple of months I have noticed that my electricity bills have nearly trebled. I’ve starting to realise that my computer isn’t the most ecological device and I’m starting to feel quite guilty, as I’m pretty good environmentally in other areas.
I’m looking at my desk now and I have my computer (which is powering a lot of gear), 2 monitors, an external hard drive, speakers, a printer, a cradle for my Dell Axim, a landline, two mobiles charging and a lamp all burning electricity just so I can write these few words.
I really need to start using less power, before my neighbours start complaining about their lights flickering!
More: Ars Technica
