IT energy management strategies

Around 20% to 30% of energy use in most schools comes from the use of computers. There is opportunity for significant cost savings and greenhouse gas pollution reduction with improved computer switch off practices. The following recommendations are intended to guide IT professionals in ways to improve the energy efficiency of office equipment. For more information refer to the DE&T website (information/location to be confirmed).

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Implement the following

Location

		Program computer monitors to switch off Program computer hard disks to turn off Install Automatic computer switch-offs for networked computers Program computers to switch off if power button is pressed Encourage users to turn computers off Enable Power save on office equipment Computer switch off at the wall Improve ventilation in the server room Purchase energy efficient equipment		Recommend after 15 minutes of inactivity. Install stickers (as detailed in the label section of this guide) to instruct people on the program. Recommend after 30 minutes of inactivity. Install stickers as above. Eg by putting computers into “standby” mode. Except servers. Recommend specific program and strategy (to be developed). Designed to switch computers off at a set time each night and on weekends and school holidays. This is very easy to do with the Microsoft XP operating system Particularly at recess, lunch and after school. See ‘Classroom Energy Monitor Checklist’. Including all copiers, printers and any other equipment Turn all office equipment, except faxes, servers and some copiers at the wall (check manufacturers recommendations). Particularly during holiday periods but also at night and weekends if practicable. See ‘School Holiday Energy Shutdown Procedure’. If you have a dedicated server room the air conditioner often cycles continuously. Use self closing fans to increase the room circulation and a control system that runs the fans at lower temperatures, then shuts the fans down and runs the air conditioner at higher temperatures. Require suppliers to provide Energy Star compliant computers and office equipment (see www.energystar.gov.au)