Linda posted on January 22, 2009 16:25
In several of my blog entries, I have mentioned that replacing your older equipment with newer equipment will reduce your energy costs. I have also mentioned 80+ rated power supplies, which have to be at least 80% efficient as something to consider when purchasing your new equipment.
But just how big a savings can you expect if you replace your equipment?
Well, thanks to a device called the Kill-A-Watt from P3 International, I have been able to run some tests and have actual results to report. This device allows you to measure the energy used by whatever device you plug into it.
First, we built two machines that were identical in all respects except that one had an 80+ power supply in it. Then we ran them both for a period of 25 hours. Both computers were running some software that we use to test machines to make sure that they are running properly. After 25 hours, the standard machine had used 1.21KWH, while the more efficient machine had used only 1.12KWH, or about 9% less energy.
More dramatic was the comparison to the machines used by one of my repair technicians. We simply connected one of our Kill-A-Watt testers to his machine and he went about his daily routine. After 4 days, he had used 9.57KWH - more than twice as much power as either of the new machines! This machine isn't an ancient machine, although it is probably about 3 years old. And we weren't running any testing software on it overnight; it was only in use between 8am and 6pm or so.
Clearly, there is a green benefit to replacing machines that just three years old. And for about $20 per machine, you can realize even greater energy savings from your new purchase.