How to set up your computer to automatically conserve energy when you leave your post

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends setting computers to enter system standby or hibernate after 30 to 60 minutes of inactivity. To save even more, set monitors to enter sleep mode after 5 to 20 minutes of inactivity. The lower the setting, the more energy you save. On laptops, be sure to activate these settings in the AC power profile — not just the DC (battery power) profile.

Access Power Options Properties

• Open up the Control Panel Start > Control Panel or Start > Settings > Control Panel
• Click on Power Options
• Go to the Hibernate tab and activate the Enable Hibernation check box.
• Click on the Power Schemes tab and create as many Power Schemes as needed. Popular scenarios are listed below.

Popular Power Scheme requirements

My computer can shut down after I have left it for a certain period of time.

This scenario is for those who can but often forget to shutoff their computer when they leave the office at the end of the day. The system is placed in hibernate mode and will, therefore, save the user's work.

• Open up your computers Power Options (see above)
• Go to the Power Schemes tab
• Click the Save As button
• In the Save Schema dialogue that appears write an empowering name e.g. Save Energy, Save the World :)
• Click OK
• Set the following Settings (alter as necessary)

• Click OK

I would like my computer to wake up and perform a scheduled task at midnight.

This scenario requires that the system is put into Sytem standby mode, from witch it may be awoken, rather than into hibernation.

• Edit your scheduled task and activate the "Wake the computer to run this task" check box on the "Settings" tab.
• Click OK
• Open up your computers Power Options (see above)
• Go to the Power Schemes tab
• In the Save Schema dialogue that appears write an empowering name e.g. Wake me up to Run
• Click OK
• Set the following Settings (alter as necessary)

• Click OK

I will be logging in from home or I am running an application/script overnight.

Computer users requiring 24/7 remote access to their desktops from outside a firewall (via Remote Desktop, for instance) should utilize monitor power management features only, as it may not be possible to remotely "wake" computers from system standby or hibernate mode. Essentially, this means that your monitor can turn off but the computer and it's hard drives must remain on.

• Open up your computers Power Options Start > Control Panel > Power Options
• On the Power Schemes tab, select "Always On" from the Power Schemes.
• Change the "Turn off Monitor" setting as desired but leave the other settings as Never.
• Click OK

Notes on all Power Schemes

System standby

• Drops monitor and computer power use down to 1–3 watts each
• Wakes up in seconds
• Saves $25–75 per PC annually

System hibernates

• Drops monitor and computer power use down to 1–3 watts each
• Wakes up in 20+ seconds
• Saves work in the event of power loss
• Saves $25–75 per PC annually

Turn off monitor

• Drops monitor power use down to 1–3 W
• Wakes in seconds or less
• Saves half as much as system standby or hibernate: about $10–40

Turn off hard disks

• This setting does not save much energy and may be ignored.

References

• Save $25 to $75 annually per computer with power management features
• User Guide to Power Management in PCs and Monitors