By the same token (or just to reiterate), it's important to keep in mind that, just because (for example), somebody decides that it's ok to leave their Mac on (but asleep), doesn't mean they're doing so unconsciously; that their "brain is turned off." It seems to me a lot of people make their decisions and then decide their decisions should be everyone else's as well.
i) Even in sleep mode, the machine will still be consuming some power - and surely it is environmentally irresponsible to burn power for no reason or use?
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Dont worry about your computer consuming power. All consumed energy will become heat and will warm your up your house. The only energy that is "wasted" is the light from the screen that goes out trough the window.
Of course if you live in a warm country and you have to cool the house the computers power consumption could be seen as wasted energy.
No offense, but that is kind of silly (unless you were kidding, in which case I apologize in advance...I need more coffee). First, because so many computer users live in areas that are at least sometimes warm (where by your reasoning you not only waste power, but then need to use more power to counteract the warming effects).
More importantly, though, computers are not very efficient as heaters, so the heat return is not very good on your investment. By the same token, while microwaves use a lot of energy, trying ot heat your house by running the microwave all day would not work so well.
Again, I am not taking sides on the "power off" debate, but your decision should be based on realistic benefits and costs.
<strong>I'm in the mood to shoot me some folks who speak in the 3rd person
ok..not shoot..but how about if I spit some 'bacca on your forehead?!
Personally I keep my computer fired up, lights on, TV on, and anything electrical turned on to counteract all of your all's energy saving </strong><hr></blockquote>
More importantly, though, computers are not very efficient as heaters, so the heat return is not very good on your investment. By the same token, while microwaves use a lot of energy, trying ot heat your house by running the microwave all day would not work so well.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
All energy that a computer consumes is turned into heat.
A singel combuter will not change the temperature more than a couple of lightbulbs, that's why a computer is inefficient as heaters.
<strong>Well , I see this conversation has (with one or two exceptions) taken a sudden turn for the intelligent while I've been away </strong><hr></blockquote>
so, are you saying that all devices that use the same amount of energy are equally efficient at heating space? Clearly this is not true - while electric heaters are all considered "100% efficient", in that there is no loss of energy, different electric space heaters, for example, heat with varying degrees of efficiency per watt of electricity. And putting your space heater in a box and facing the wall will heat your home less efficiently than using it properly.
So yes, the energy consumed by the computer will create heat, but it is not *solely* the low wattage that prevents any appreciable heating (although I admit that is the most important factor).
so, are you saying that all devices that use the same amount of energy are equally efficient at heating space? Clearly this is not true - while electric heaters are all considered "100% efficient", in that there is no loss of energy, different electric space heaters, for example, heat with varying degrees of efficiency per watt of electricity. And putting your space heater in a box and facing the wall will heat your home less efficiently than using it properly.
So yes, the energy consumed by the computer will create heat, but it is not *solely* the low wattage that prevents any appreciable heating (although I admit that is the most important factor).
How efficient a house is heated depends on how much and how the air moves around in the house and where the heater is placed.
All electrical energy that a device uses is transformed into heat+potential energy+light. A computer with the screen turned off only produces heat.
So if you place your compter in a "good" spot, like I have (for a different reason though), under a window it will heat my home as efficently as any heater can. Not as much but as efficient.
Ofcourse it wouldn't be practical to rely on you computer, TV, VCR etc to keep your house warm but no one said that eather.
It might seem starnge that a computer, or a vacuumcleaner for that matter, is as efficient as normal heater at heating air, but they are
I think what we have to get at is practicality. Is it practical to leave your computer on, in sleep mode? Why, yes, because then you don't have to wait for the computer to load the OS. Additionally, you can't leave applications and files open, if you choose to work on them later.
I have had my PowerBook since March of last year, and I think I've only turned it off three times, twice to install memory, and once because I ran the battery down all the way and didn't want to sleep on a dead battery.
My PowerMac 933 hasn't been off yet since I got it over a month ago.
Point being, is while it seems practical to turn these "devices" off, it's not really practical in the long run if the main use of the equipment in the beginning is to be more productive. And as I've outlined above, for those reasons I think it's okay to leave your computer on, in sleep mode.
Comments
By the same token (or just to reiterate), it's important to keep in mind that, just because (for example), somebody decides that it's ok to leave their Mac on (but asleep), doesn't mean they're doing so unconsciously; that their "brain is turned off." It seems to me a lot of people make their decisions and then decide their decisions should be everyone else's as well.
<strong>
i) Even in sleep mode, the machine will still be consuming some power - and surely it is environmentally irresponsible to burn power for no reason or use?
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Dont worry about your computer consuming power. All consumed energy will become heat and will warm your up your house. The only energy that is "wasted" is the light from the screen that goes out trough the window.
Of course if you live in a warm country and you have to cool the house the computers power consumption could be seen as wasted energy.
/sebatlh
More importantly, though, computers are not very efficient as heaters, so the heat return is not very good on your investment. By the same token, while microwaves use a lot of energy, trying ot heat your house by running the microwave all day would not work so well.
Again, I am not taking sides on the "power off" debate, but your decision should be based on realistic benefits and costs.
Fish
<strong>Well, I was battling with my wife last night
[ 03-05-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Wimmin, eh?
<strong>I'm in the mood to shoot me some folks who speak in the 3rd person
ok..not shoot..but how about if I spit some 'bacca on your forehead?!
Personally I keep my computer fired up, lights on, TV on, and anything electrical turned on to counteract all of your all's energy saving
The Blue Meanie says
<strong>
More importantly, though, computers are not very efficient as heaters, so the heat return is not very good on your investment. By the same token, while microwaves use a lot of energy, trying ot heat your house by running the microwave all day would not work so well.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
All energy that a computer consumes is turned into heat.
A singel combuter will not change the temperature more than a couple of lightbulbs, that's why a computer is inefficient as heaters.
/sebatlh
<strong>Well , I see this conversation has (with one or two exceptions) taken a sudden turn for the intelligent while I've been away
Hmmmm.... coincidence???
Hey man, you said it, not me. LOL
<strong>
Hmmmm.... coincidence???
Hey man, you said it, not me. LOL
my first mac has arrived yesterday, i was hesitated whether to swith it off.
i left it on anyway!
never did this to my pc, cause i have to Ctrl+alt+del the next day always!
so, are you saying that all devices that use the same amount of energy are equally efficient at heating space? Clearly this is not true - while electric heaters are all considered "100% efficient", in that there is no loss of energy, different electric space heaters, for example, heat with varying degrees of efficiency per watt of electricity. And putting your space heater in a box and facing the wall will heat your home less efficiently than using it properly.
So yes, the energy consumed by the computer will create heat, but it is not *solely* the low wattage that prevents any appreciable heating (although I admit that is the most important factor).
Just being pedantic - sorry.
Fish
[ 03-07-2002: Message edited by: fishdoc ]</p>
Any takers?
<strong>sebat,
so, are you saying that all devices that use the same amount of energy are equally efficient at heating space? Clearly this is not true - while electric heaters are all considered "100% efficient", in that there is no loss of energy, different electric space heaters, for example, heat with varying degrees of efficiency per watt of electricity. And putting your space heater in a box and facing the wall will heat your home less efficiently than using it properly.
So yes, the energy consumed by the computer will create heat, but it is not *solely* the low wattage that prevents any appreciable heating (although I admit that is the most important factor).
Just being pedantic - sorry.
Fish
[ 03-07-2002: Message edited by: fishdoc ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
How efficient a house is heated depends on how much and how the air moves around in the house and where the heater is placed.
All electrical energy that a device uses is transformed into heat+potential energy+light. A computer with the screen turned off only produces heat.
So if you place your compter in a "good" spot, like I have (for a different reason though), under a window it will heat my home as efficently as any heater can. Not as much but as efficient.
Ofcourse it wouldn't be practical to rely on you computer, TV, VCR etc to keep your house warm but no one said that eather.
It might seem starnge that a computer, or a vacuumcleaner for that matter, is as efficient as normal heater at heating air, but they are
Just being pedantic on the pedant
/sebatlh
I have had my PowerBook since March of last year, and I think I've only turned it off three times, twice to install memory, and once because I ran the battery down all the way and didn't want to sleep on a dead battery.
My PowerMac 933 hasn't been off yet since I got it over a month ago.
Point being, is while it seems practical to turn these "devices" off, it's not really practical in the long run if the main use of the equipment in the beginning is to be more productive. And as I've outlined above, for those reasons I think it's okay to leave your computer on, in sleep mode.
<strong>Well, macs may not be good heaters, but we can get you a nice P4 for all your home heating needs.
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
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