Smart Power is a energy saving program for Windows that installs itself as a service. The program offers highly configurable rules that define when and how power is saved on the PC system.

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The program basically uses rules to decide if the PC can be suspended or turned off completely. A total of four different rule groups can be configured individually:

• Devices: Configure IP addresses / hostnames in this groups. If activated, the PC will stay on if the configured devices are connected to it.
• Network: Select a network interface and a throughout threshold. If the threshold is above the selected limit the PC will stay on. The throughout is the combined total of incoming and outgoing network traffic per second.
• CPU: Define a cpu threshold limit, if the limit is exceeded the PC will stay on. The limit defines the total cpu usage across all cpu cores.
• Processed: Define processes that prevent the computer from going into shutdown / suspension.

Finally, there are two additional groups that can be configured. The first is called schedules, and this group defines a time in which the PC will stay on, regardless of the other rules.

The second is an option to start or stop services before the PC hibernates or suspends. The services are restarted when the PC wakes up.

Here’s how I use SmartPower on my Windows Home Server:

• I have a single schedule that applies to every day of the week and runs from 10am to midnight. That means that my WHS turns on at 10am every day and is guaranteed to be on until midnight.
• I list 3 other PCs on my network as devices. That means that my WHS will never turn off if 1 or more of those PCs are turned on (even if it’s past midnight).
• I have network throughput monitoring enabled and the threshold set to 15KB/sec. That means that if my WHS is busy downloading something after midnight it won’t turn off until the download has finished.

SmartPower is compatible with Windows XP and later. It requires the Microsoft .net Framework and is available for download at the developer website.

A user who needs to access the computer system quickly at work does not necessarily wants to use a energy saving power profile that shuts down the computer monitor, hard drives or even hibernates. The situation might be different at home for the same user where time is normally not a pressing matter.

Enter PowerSlave (via ShellCity), a PC power management software for the Windows XP and Windows Vista operating system. PowerSlave allows a user to create a day time and night time plan for the computer system. These two plans can be configured individually with power schemes that are taken directly from the operating system

The PC power management software can be configured to run any of the available power schemes in the configured time period which makes it dead easy to set different power plans for day and night use. The computer memory usage of PowerSlave is quite high. We have covered similar PC power management programs such as Edison, Notebook Hardware Control or Computer Energy Saving Tips.

Computer systems consume power. The amount of power depends on the system at hand. It can vary widely depending on the hardware build into the computer system. A high end user’s computer with the latest hardware will consume more power than an Office computer system that uses low end hardware. High end computer systems use 250 Watts or more per hour which equals 1 kWh every four hours of usage. The US average energy costs for 1 kWh are $0.11. This varies a lot in the country but also worldwide. The costs of 1 kWh in Germany average around $0.27 for example.

A computer running 24 hours a day using 100 Watts per hour will need 876 kWh a year which would equal $96 when using the US average and $236 in Germany. If the computer uses 250 Watts instead the costs would rise to 2190 kWh per year which would equal $240 in the US and $591 in Germany. Not all computer systems are running 24 hours though but it is probably good to know some maximum values. Keep in mind that energy costs are on the rise and that it will also reduce heat and noise.

1. Buy energy efficient products

Considering energy efficient products is a good way to save energy in the first place. Look for logos like the Energy Star to buy computer hardware that offers a good energy efficiency. Another good idea is to look for a 80+ power supply unit which is more energy efficient as well. (See 80 Plus Power Supply Units)

2. Use build in power saving features

Most operating systems come with power saving features that put hardware like hard drives or the computer monitor into idle mode or turn it off for the time it is not being used. Idle mode consumes between 20 to 50 times less energy. Windows users find the power saving settings in the Control Panel. It might be necessary to tweak the values for turning off the computer monitor, hard drives and setting a system standby time to suit the individual needs. A lower time will save more energy but is also likelier to affect work.

This also includes the possibility to underclock hardware. A high end video card is only needed with its full power when playing the latest computer games. It is definitely not needed in most other situations. Underclocking the video card will save energy (read create video card profiles to save power) The same is true for processors.

3. Turn down the brightness

Turning down the brightness of the computer monitor, or any other monitor actually, saves energy. This is actually a good tip for users with laptops, netbooks and other mobile devices including cell phones. It can also be helpful on desktop systems.

4. Turn off the monitor instead of using a screensaver

Screensavers do not save energy. Their function these days is reduced to visuals only. Turning off the computer monitor instead of running screensavers saves lots of energy.

5. Disable devices that are not needed

Laptops come with all sorts of devices that a user might not need. Each of the devices – if enabled – consume energy. A laptop user that uses the build in network adapter and a cable to connect to the Internet probably does not need Wi-fi, the build in modem, Bluetooth or infrared. The same might be valid for other devices like the DVD drive or sound card.

6. Turn off the computer

This might be an obvious tip but there are a few myths surrounding this. Some users think that turning off a computer will reduce its lifetime. Others believe that it will cost more power to turn the computer off and on again than to put it to hibernate mode.

It might not make sense to turn off a computer system when going on a 5 minute break but it definitely make sense for longer breaks, e.g. lunch or meetings.

7. Share hardware where appropriate

Hardware like printers, scanners or routers that are connected to a computer system are also using power. A way to save energy is to share these devices where possible. This does require some computer knowledge though.

Energy Saving Verdict: It is possible to save lots of energy by turning off devices when they are not needed. Buying energy efficient hardware and using power saving settings are the two other helpful options.

Do you have anything to add? Let us know in the comments.

Companies began to research and produce energy efficient PC components that reduce the power consumption of a computer system without reducing its processing power. One of this programs is the 80 Plus initiative for power supply units. The power supply unit (or psu) is basically the unit that distributes the power to the various PC components by converting AC power from electric utilities into DC power.

Standard power supply units lose a lot of energy in that process while efficient ones lose considerably less. The 80 Plus initiative now certifies power supply units with a energy efficiency of 80% or more and a true power factor of 0.9 and more. This means that these power supply units need less energy to supply the computer system with the same power.

A desktop PC using an 80 Plus power supply will use 85 Kwh less per year than one with an average power supply unit. But this is not the only benefit. Those systems produce less heat which can mean a reduced noise level or reduced cooling costs. It also means that the PC components will usually last longer.

Not all power supply unit manufacturers are part of the 80 Plus initiative and it is possible to purchase efficient power supply units without the 80 Plus logo. The main benefit for the consumer is the immediate recognition that the psu is energy efficient. Someone would have to research the energy efficiency of a psu that is not included the program which could take a while and might even lead to no results.

80 Plus power supply units do not seem to cost more money than those without the logo which is why it is probably a good idea to pick one of those instead of regular ones on the next purchase. It should also be noted that there are actually four logos for 80 Plus power supply units which are standard, bronze, silver and gold with gold having the highest (7-10% above standard) energy efficiency.