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Computers
Turn Them Off? - Leave Them On? |
Save Energy or Shorten Computer Life:
The Story:
One very common question we answer is about the best way to treat your computer. Turn it off when not in use or leave it on is the basic question. This question never seems to go away. The quick answer is simple - Not in use turn it off. Of course complete answers are seldom simple - read on.
Four Reasons: That Force You To Leave Your Computer On:
- Your computer acts as a file server, print server or Web server on a LAN (Intranet) or Internet.
- You schedule upgrades, backup or maintenance for over night.
- You run calculations for off site services like SETI@Home.
- Your computer communicates data or monitors and adjusts lights, environmental services or security.
That is it. The only reasons that "Force" you to run a computer 24/7. If your computer doesn't fall into one of those reasons then turn it off when the computer isn't in use.
The Whole Story:
Most folks have "stories" from friends that give "reasons" computers should be left on. If you are a real "VIP" (Very Impatient Person) the wait for a computer to boot may be the only reason you need to leave a computer running. But for most it is based on saving energy or protecting your computer from "Start-up Wear". Many refer to the components being affect by the expansion and contraction of the parts that occur during and because of the heating and cooling of the components. These Wives Tales have been circulating for many years.
Do you leave your TV on all the time? Would it be good to leave your car run 24/7? No one seems to suggest that "Start-up Wear" in your car engine out weighs the need to save money and energy by not running a car when not in use. Every time a car is started when cold (not used in hours) there is REAL Start-up Wear that occurs in the engine. The expansion and contraction in engine components when it goes through a start-up - run - shut-down cycle is real and is the reason an internal combustion engine eventually fails.
These cycles do occur and cause real wear and tear. A computer is no different. The real answer is that the Running WEAR on ANY device is also REAL. Solidstate devices and their rotational components (hard drives - fans - CD drives) all have a figure that is called MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure). The balance is when you leave devices run that balances "usage" against time ratios of running wear against start-up wear.
How often is a computer used and for how long forms a duty cycle. This forms the basis for the on-off cycle. No sane person suggest that your computer be turned on an used for a few minutes and turned off for a few minutes and turned back on for a few minutes - and so on!!! The same applies to running a computer 24/7 and using it for four fifteen minute periods of the 24/7 cycle.
Common Sense:
Turn your computer on when needed. (or set it to turn on at a specific time) When not in use for at least an hour or more turn it off. Save Energy (money) and save unnecessary wear on the components. If your local computer expert disagrees - have him show you a Hard Drive manufacturer or Motherboard company that recommends running 24/7 as a Cost Savings Plan!
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Copyright 2006 H. R. Litman
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