A representative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program recently presented an award to members of the University's department of Facilities and Real Estate Services for steps they have taken to reduce energy use by computer monitors.
Since March, FRES has used EZ Save, a free software program from the EPA, to automatically put idle monitors into a "power sleep mode" when they are not being used. Put to sleep when offices are closed or during periods of low use, the monitors consume significantly less energy.
"We're very happy to recieve the award," FRES Network Administrator Parmenus Bowler said, adding that the program -- which took only a few hours to put into service -- was "very simple to implement."
Officials are currently discussing ways of installing the power-saving program across the University.
"Facilities will be happy to lead by example, and we're hoping it catches on," Bowler said. "We're just waiting for other departments... around the University to follow suit. The more computer systems we have involved, the more of an impact we'll make. If we can continue to reduce the energy demand, that's worth its weight in gold."
By switching to the energy-saving mode, an estimated 30,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions will be saved each year, according to the EPA.
Computers can be woken up easily with a touch of the keyboard or mouse. Manual controls allow users to prevent their machines from sleeping during presentations or special use.
"It does just enough without being intrusive or overbearing," Bowler said. "The user is in control... no matter what."
-- Spencer Willig
