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[bammer]

there are times when i just leave my pc on for some time with the aim of going back to it the soonest that i can.. however, for one reason or another, i cannot anymore! my question is : even at that mode, does it still consume much electricity, hence energy? ....ill be enlightened!

[knight]

Yes, that is right. Even in the stand by mode PC consumes energy. If you are not getting back any sooner just switch off the PC after saving your work, that would be more good than keeping them on stand by mode.

[Lissy]

Any appliance that uses electricity would not be using it only if tirned off / unplugged.

After our computer had gotten fried by lightning during an unexpected thunder storm, I always unplug it.

[homebrewer]

Yes. If you want, you can get a pc with an Energy star compliant. It will suck up less electricity when idle. In PC's, you can surely get less consumption because it will shut down the processor, graphics card, and only leaving all the information to your ram.

[puffie224]

Yes, any electronic appliance that uses electricity still consumes it even when in off mode. These items needs to be unplugged, but most computers consume less power than a hair dryer, even after being on for 24 straight hours. But still we all are in the live green mode so if you notice you have not gone back to your PC in about an hour, just hit off. Or most PC's and Laptops alike can be set to Hibernate, turn off monitor and hard disk, and eventually shut down, if they haven't been used in a set time frame.

[KrisNY]

I never unplug my computer, but I do shut it down so it is not on. My computer is great- it has something built in- If I don't use it in a certain amount of time, it automatically shuts off. Saves energy!
Always turn off the monitor as well.

[Michele]

I also have settings that will turn off my computer if not used in a certain time. More modern monitors also have this feature. These settings are great because it keeps the computer from over heating as well. And in case of a black out, it won't fry your components.

[Ricardo]

Speaking of plugging in electronics, is everyone here using some kind of power surge protection?

I have one that fits right over the receptacle, and most of the power bars I use also have protection.

[bammer]

thanks guys! i would do just that! unlug everything!

[antkmom]

The one thing we are bad about at our house is the computer.  It is on all day and ususaly we forget to turn it off in the night.   
It makes it more convient to run and look something up, but does waist alot of energy.

[zebro]

I am a house-wife and i am doing part time job in home with my pc. I know pc in standby mode will consume current. But there are some situations, in between my job i have to spend 5 or 10 min to complete my simple household works. At that time i will keep my pc in standby mode, because shut down and restart will take time.

[homebrewer]

Try vista or the new windows 7 rc1, it has a sleep mode and just sips a little electricity. Some OS'es like xp don't have it sometimes. But your hardware decides this ultimately if it supports it.

[herboo]

I always put my pc in stand by mode whenever i am having in between small work to do. But i think so it won't consume more current.

[tanya]

yes, this a good method to put system in stand by mode it also save current. while you working if some small work means you can put stand by mode otherwise shutdown your system because it consume more current.