Changing your Power Management setting in your computer can help reduce the energy consumption of your machine. Check this handy tutorials to learn more:

Windows XP Power Management, View.
MacOS X and Windows Tutorial, View.
MacOS X and Windows, View.
Setting up your Linux Kernel (2.6+) for Power Management, View.

Energy footprint.
Most well known brands of computers are EnergyStart certified now days. When purchasing computers we need to go beyond the EnergyStart logo. EnergyStart appliances have a rating. The lower the rating the less energy the computer uses. Check the rating when comparing computers. Laptops are always a winner compared to desktops. Another issue that we hardly consider when purchasing a machine is that the computer configuration may actually affect the consumption of energy. There were the days where CPU speed whats a function of energy consumption. The faster the CPU the more energy the computer needed. CPU makers learned that to battle heat in their CPU they had to figure out a way to reduce energy consumption and so they did. Todays CPU have multiple cores at over 3Mhz each and yet their energy foot print has remain steady using less than 25 watts. A few examples are:

Intel Dual Core "Yonah" ~25 watts
AMD Opterons ~55 watts

In the other hand know we have graphic cards. Graphic cards are becoming ever so popular, even to the point where graphics specs are more important than cpu speed. It so happens that just like with CPUs graphic cards performance are a product of energy consumption. Always check the energy footprint of your video card and buy only what you really need.

My handy wireless access point.
This handy device is a proud member of our technological lifestyles. Is always on 24-7 provinding instant access to our internet connection, yet we forget how much energy can be saved by turning devices like this off when not in use.

Electronic help :

Email and the internet is becoming a standard medium to communicate. It offers a great advantage over printed media; It's cheap and fast.

Use email to send memos and documents, or route memos to staff members rather than making a paper copy for each person.

Create a web page with documents and information instead of printed versions.

If you are a section leader or supervisor you can enforce the use of electronic versions, DO NOT accept printed materials if an electronic version serves the same purpose. Take the initiative to change a process so that it includes the use of electronic resources. Email programs allows you to recieve a confirmation message when the email is recieved.

Store copies of documents and emails in CD or in another backup media and not printed copies.

Use DIRECT DEPOSIT for your paycheck, scholarship payments, and other payments from Campus.

Use a Post-It program in your computer instead of real Post-It notes. MacOS computers already have a "post-it" program called Stickies. Windows users may download one of many free programs available:

- Post-it Software Notes Lite
- PostIt 1.04

Another cool option is to create your own "Post-It" notes from scrap and used paper. Finally reuse your post-it notes, there is always room for more.

If you have forms, you can create a web version that can be filled online and send to an email address. The Web Development Team has a tool to allow you create a web form. You may also contact the WDT to recieve your very own training on how to use this tool. For more information visit the WDT webpage.

The portal "My UPRM" also offers great tools to help you reduce at the office. For starters it offers an email account for every student, professors and employees. Second it has a great calendar tool that allows you to share a calendar with other uprm users. Professor can even create a calendar for theirs courses with ease. During the semester of spring 2004 users will also have an online disk to store and share files, plus forums and groups. Also every professor has an account in UPRM that allows them to publish their own webpages.

If you have a Coffee corner in your office encourage people to use mugs and not disposable cups. Use a real spoon that can be wash and not disposable spoons or shakers (straws). Replace individual envelopes with a one large refillable container for the sugar, cream, etc.

When possible buy items in bulk to reduce waste on packaging.

Buy recycled or remanufactured cartridges.

Encourage the use of refillable pens and pencils.

Buy a Fax machine that uses regular paper, and capable of adding the sender and recipient information into the fax itself.

Buy electronic appliances (computers, printers, copiers) that are Energy Star certified. Most computer equipments are Energy Star so make sure that you buy the one with the highest Energy Star rating. Here is a list of where you can find Energy Star specifications for some of the main computer producers (links as of Feb/2004):

Apple Computers and Products
Dell Computers and Products
HP/Compaq Computers and Products
Gateway (Environment, NO Specifications)

Disposable batteries that are not rechargable are harmful to the environment because they contain toxic metals. The toxic metals are then released into the environment when they get thrown in the garbage. Always buy rechargable batteries.

Most electric appliances consume electricity even when they are off. They consume electricity to power things like a display clock or enable the remote control functionality. The problem is that most of these appliances consume atleast half or as much energy as if they were on. Unplug these appliances or turn off the powerstrip. Buy new "One-Watt" appliances which consume 1 watt or less when off.

Replace incandescent bulbs by Compact flouroscent (CFL) bulbs. Incandescent bulbs may give off up to 90% of its energy as heat and only 10% as light. Paint rooms white or other light colors to reduce the need to have lights on.