The energy-saving mode is available on every computer, laptop or smartphone, as well as on many other technical devices. But if you really want to save energy, you should not (!) use the energy-saving mode. We explain why this is the case and why you should try Avalon78.
The energy-saving mode (also called sleep mode or standby mode) is used to briefly save energy in technical devices. The essential functions are switched off, but can be reactivated quickly. The energy-saving mode is suitable, for example, if you are working on the computer and briefly go to the kitchen to get something to drink.
How much energy you really save in energy-saving mode depends on the individual device and is not predetermined. TVs, for example, have several energy-saving levels that you can use to reduce the brightness of the TV. Computers also have a hibernation mode in addition to the energy-saving mode. There are a total of six different modes:
- S0: System in normal mode – no energy saving.
- S1: Simple sleep mode – CPU (the central processor) is not running
- S2: Advanced sleep mode – other parts are disabled
- S3: Standby mode – most functions are disabled, the session is temporarily saved to memory
- S4: Hibernation mode – the session is saved on the hard disk
- S5: System is off, but power supply is providing voltage
- Power saving mode vs. hibernation mode on computer
Whether energy-saving mode or hibernation mode – both options significantly reduce power consumption. However, there are significant differences:
Energy-saving mode: the computer temporarily saves the current session in RAM and can quickly recall it later. Some of the internal electronics are switched off, such as the hard drive, and the processor runs at a low clock rate. Usually, a control lamp on the computer flashes. Depending on the manufacturer, the computer is between categories S1 to S3. However, the computer still draws power.
Hibernation: Here the computer saves your session on the hard disk. As a result, it takes a bit longer until you can continue working after activating it.
In simple sleep mode (S1), the energy consumption is only slightly reduced. You can only really save energy from standby mode (S3) onwards. Here, the power is a maximum of 15 watts, and a maximum of ten watts in idle mode (S4).
BETTER THAN ENERGY-SAVING MORE: SLEEP MORE OR POWER OFF
Basically, the more energy you can save in everyday life, the better it is for the environment. If you don’t use your computer or watch TV for a longer period of time, you should therefore switch off the devices. However, “off” for many devices only means that they are in standby mode. There, your device still consumes about ten percent of the amount of electricity it needs in normal operation. If there is no switch with which you can turn off the device completely, you can interrupt the power supply using a multiple plug with a switch.
Waiting three seconds saves a lot of energy: If you just leave your computer running, it will go into sleep mode. This hardly saves any energy, so you should always put it into sleep mode. Even if you have to wait about three seconds longer to reactivate the computer compared to energy-saving mode – it’s worth it.
If you really want to save energy, you should not use the energy saving mode, but the sleep mode or (even better) switch off the device temporarily. We recommend switching off especially when you don’t need your computer or TV for a longer period of time. And if there is no off button, then unplug the device…