I used the handy “Kill A Watt” measurer around my dorm room today to figure out how much energy my appliances and lights are zapping every day. What I found was that putting your computer in “Stand-by” or “Sleep Mode” really uses no energy (I use a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop) and that compact flourescent light (CFLs) bulbs really DO save a ton of energy! I was able to use my roommate’s lamp with regular incandescent bulbs, and mine with the CFLs.
Findings for the appliances found in my room:
- Lap-top: 24 watts while on
- Lap-top on stand-by: 0 watts
- Standing floor lamp (3-way bulb, at brightest): 90 watts
- I-home player: 4 watts
- cell phone charger while off: 0 watts
- cell phone charger on: 1 watt, 0 when fully charged
- TCNJ desk lamp with regular bulbs: 112 watts!!!! (56 watts for one bulb)
- TCNJ desk lamp with CFLs: 28 watts (both lights on)
- String of 50 small Christmas lights: 18 watts
- String of 50 small Christmas lights (energy-saving): 11 watts
- Small TV: 47 watts
- DVD player: 7 watts
I find this extremely beneficial because the most important finding is that switching your lightbulbs to energy-saving CFLs really makes a difference. The important thing to remember is while CFLs will last for years, they need to be returned to the store where they were bought, or recycled in a proper container at a recycling center once they go out. The EPA also details steps to take if one of the bulbs break; they are a potential hazard in large quantities because of the small traces of mercury in the bulbs. Just one is not damaging, but hundreds of them in a landfill could be potentially hazardous. Main message: recycle your CFLs after use!
It is also important to remember to turn off your lights if you are out of the room for more than 10 minutes, and be aware of appliances left on!
Useful links:
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#fluorescent
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls