Computer running costs

[Annie W]

Hi. Does anyone have any idea of the running costs of a computer (in terms of electricity use) if it is left on all day?

Annie W

[Buenchico]

Based upon the findings here . . .
http://living.morethan.com/2007/12/13/it-all-a dds-up/
. . . a typical PC in an office environment (9 to 5.30, 5 days per week) uses 2.29kWh of electricity per week. Scaling up to 24/7 usage gives a total figure of 7.87kWh per week.

So that means that just over 1kWh is used per day. Tariffs vary but (after paying a higher rate for the first dew units), British Gas charge me 9.65p (+ 5% VAT) per kWh. Using that office PC (24/7) would cost me about 11.4p per day.

Of course, if a PC is turned on, the monitor will normally be turned on as well. Assuming that it never goes into standby mode (and that it uses the 20W, quoted for a 19" flatscreen monitor, referred to in that article) it would cost about 4.9p per day.

Chris

[ACtheTROLL]

plus all the hot air (if this is your home page!;)

my kit pulls 0.433Kwh
2 routers, 2PCs, 1 laptop, 1 switch, 1 printer, 1 scanner ....
plus lights + fan (yayyy!) bl@@dy hell! that's probably why the room has been at 31c this week with the window shut.

buenchico's estimate is more normal.

I suppose on top of that is the whatever 100s of tons of Co2
the 1 degree increase per however long.

from my point of view ... the last 3 years without shovelling snow makes it worthwhile

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks, you two, for those replies. It's something I have often wondered - if I should turn off the computer and then turn it back on when I need it, or just leave it switched on.

It doesn't cost as much as I thought it would to leave it on.

[shylock73]

Chris`s link is rather out of date 13/12/07 so expect ot pay more than stated in your next bill.

[Buenchico]

Sorry Shylock. Unless PCs have suddenly changed in the last few months, the number of kWh used won't have changed. (It wouldn't matter if electricity prices went up 100 fold; the actual power usage would remain the same). It's only the cost per kWh that changes as fuel prices rise and my figures were based upon my most recent bill, so they should be reasonably up to date.

Chris

[fo3nix]

You really need to check your own computer.

Different CPUs and hard drives and other parts of the computer use different amounts of power. Also, if the computer's new-ish, it should use less power when idle than when you're working (or it's working).

If you really want to work it, out, you can buy little plugs that go between your computer's plug and the wall socket, that give a kWh reading. Take averages while your computer's on (if the unit doesn't already do it), and see what you find.

[trish432]

I usually switch my monitor off if I`m not actually using the computer, don`t know how much difference it makes, but I assume it makes some.

[whiskeryron]

Chris,sorry to be nit picking, you quote B Gas am I out of date? I thought you were living in Canada. WR.

[Buenchico]

(With apologies to Annie)

Hi Ron:

While the rolling wheatfields, which are just down the road from me, might look like parts of Canada, they're definitely East Anglian. (Suffolk, to be more precise). I've been here for nearly 20 years (having returned to my home county after 20 years in Sheffield).

You're obviously getting me confused with someone. Don't worry about it, it's probably just old age; it come to us all ;-)

Chris

[ACtheTROLL]

YOU ARE ALL WRONG!!!!!!
have you seen the news today ... up by bl@@dy 35% ... the robbin' b@st@rds!

.....They do this sort of thing in B&Q for half the price (can't find it on their site though)

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3 8343&&source=14&doy=30m7

interesting and surprising to see what eats what

moved into new house this time last year - man said the central heating hardly ever came on in winter .... knew the estimate was low .... but new payment has gone up by �105 per month to �197 ..... now it'll be �265!!!!!!