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Computer Power Supply


Computer Power Supply Age Rating
Seasonic M12-II 620 EVO 620 5 Years 620 Watts
Watts
Seasonic S12-II 520 520 Watts 2 Years 520 Watts
Seasonic M12-II 520 EVO 520 3 Years 520 Watts
Watts

A computer power supply’s task is to convert the AC power from the outlet to DC power
that your other components can use. The efficiency rating is simply the power outputted to those
components divided by the wattage drawn from the outlet. So, then a 500W Power Supply with a
50% efficiency rating would draw 1000W to get to that peak output. In this example, the other
500W are wasted as heat in that conversion process.
80 Plus is a PSU certification designed to denote that a power supply is at least 80%
efficient at 20%, 50%, and 100% loads. This means a 500W 80 Plus rated PSU would draw a
maximum of 625W at 100% load. Because of the relatively low-cost premium and advantages
they provide, the study do not recommend anything less than 80 Plus, so make sure to look for
this certification when buying for your next PSU. Most power supplies available today is at least
80 Plus rated.
In addition to the potential savings on your power bill, a general rule is that the more
efficient the power supply, the better its longevity and reliability and oftentimes the better the
longevity of the PC. The lost wattage from the AC to DC conversion was wasted as heat. The
less efficient the power supply, the more heat it will generate. More heat means more wear and
tear and a higher failure rate. And if that heat is extreme enough to increase the thermals in the
PC, it can degrade those components as well.
With respect to its age, computer power supplies lose its rated wattage over time because
of aging capacitors in its components. But the change is minimal, that you have already upgraded
or changed your computer’s PSU. [ CITATION Cov19 \l 1033 ]
Monitors
Monitor Age Rating
Acer Predator XB271HU 3 Years 32 Watts
Asus VG279Q 3 Months 40 Watts
Gamdias Atlas HD 236C 1 Year 36 Watts

Computer Monitors in this study found out that, on the all-in-one desktop computers the display
of one computer used 58 percent less power than the display of another computer of the same
screen size and resolution. It estimates that it is possible to cost-effectively reduce average
monitor energy consumption by 30 to 50 percent using existing technology, with further
improvements probable in the future using emerging technologies [ CITATION Nat16 \l 1033 ]:
Light source efficiency improvements: LED (light emitting diode) technology is getting more
efficient and cheaper every year. Utilizing some of the highest-efficiency LEDs available at time
of manufacture saves energy compared with older, less efficient LED technology.
Enhanced light-filtering film: Film enhancements, such as reflective polarization, are a low-cost
means to improve light transmission and reduce the amount of light lost as absorbed heat in the
display. Many displays do not use enhanced films today.
Power supply improvements: Standalone displays use their own power supply, and this remains a
significant source of energy loss. High-efficiency power supplies often provide a cost-effective
way to save energy.
Dimming: Efficiency opportunities in this category include automatic brightness control
(adjusting a display’s brightness to increase in bright ambient conditions and decrease in more
dimly lit conditions), other dimming strategies such as “global” or “local” dimming (adjusting
LED power to the brightness of the content), and shipping monitors with optimal settings instead
of overly bright settings.
Emerging technologies will provide further opportunities for display efficiency in the future.
These include organic LED (OLED), which is a new, highly efficient alternative to liquid crystal
display (LCD) technology; quantum dots (semiconductor devices that optimize the quality and
energy efficiency of color rendition in LCD screens); and improvements in LCD panel
transmissivity.
Like every other electronics, it loses efficiency as its ages, but it is only noticeable if the
capacitors fitted in its Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is made of low-quality materials. But if it’s
made of high-quality capacitors its losses are minimal and almost negligible.
Speakers
Speakers Age Rating
Creative A320 7 Years 16 Watts
Creative Inspire T3300 3 Years 27 Watts

Speaker efficiency, also known as speaker sensitivity, is a measure of a speaker's decibel


output at a specified amount of amplifier power. A speaker's efficiency is typically measured
with a microphone placed one meter from the speaker. As one watt of power is delivered to the
speaker, the microphone measures the resulting volume though a decibel level meter. The output
level that results is the speaker's efficiency rating.
Speakers range in efficiency or sensitivity from about 85dB (very inefficient) up to
105dB (very efficient). To compare, a speaker with an 85-dB efficiency rating will take twice the
amplifier power to reach the same volume as a speaker with 88 dB efficiency. Similarly, a
speaker with an 88-dB efficiency rating will require ten times more power than a speaker with a
98-dB efficiency rating to play at the same volume. If you're starting with a 100 watt/channel
receiver, you would need 1000 watts of power to double the perceived volume level. [ CITATION
Alt19 \l 1033 ]

Printers
Printers Age Rating
Brother MFC-J265W 8 Years 29 Watts
Epson L210 4 Years 72 Watts

An average inkjet printer designed for home use will typically use 30 to 50 watts when it
is printing, in standby mode most printers will draw around 3 to 5 watts of power. Commercial
printers which are used in an office will draw 30 to 50 watts on standby and 300 to 500 watts
when printing.
Certain printers and specifically laser printers may consume significantly more,
depending on design and if a halogen lamp is used for the fuser. This may significantly increase
wattage and is not recommended to connect to a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). [ CITATION
Ene \l 1033 ]

Like every other electronics, it loses efficiency as its ages, but it is only noticeable if the
capacitors fitted in its Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is made of low-quality materials. But if it’s
made of high-quality capacitors its losses are negligible.
Tablet
Tablet Age Rating
iPad Pro 4 Years 12 Watts

A Lithium-ion batteries powers almost all handheld gadgets and electronics. Less
obvious than low capacity is the problem of longevity. Lithium-ion and even newer lithium-
polymer batteries have a nasty habit of losing capacity over time or, worse, dying altogether.
Any battery issue is a chemistry problem. In a healthy battery, ions flow freely between a
cathode and an anode. Charging a battery pushes ions from the cathode to the anode; using the
battery reverses the flow. Over time, this process wears out the cathode, which results in reduced
capacity. A high-end lithium-polymer battery can lose about 20 percent of its capacity after 1000
charge cycles. Another way to think of this is to imagine that every time you recharge your
laptop, you shave a few seconds off its maximum battery life. Erratic charging and heat speed up
this degradation. And batteries degrade even if you don't use them. According to battery-testing
firm Cadex Electronics, a fully charged lithium-ion battery will lose about 20 percent of its
capacity after a year of typical storage. Increase the temperature to just above 100 degrees
Fahrenheits in a hot attic, for example and that number is 35 percent.
Handheld gadgets and devices are designed to perform well in a wide range of ambient
temperatures, with 16° to 22° C as the ideal comfort zone. It’s especially important to avoid
exposing your device to ambient temperatures higher than 35° C, which can permanently damage
battery capacity. That is, your battery won’t power your device as long on a given charge.
Charging the device in high ambient temperatures can damage it further. Software may limit
charging above 80% when the recommended battery temperatures are exceeded. Even storing a
battery in a hot environment can damage it irreversibly. When using your device in a very cold
environment, you may notice a decrease in battery life, but this condition is temporary. Once the
battery’s temperature returns to its normal operating range, its performance will return to normal.
Refrigerator
Refrigerator Age Rating
Samsung RS554NRUA1J 1 Year 200 Watts

It is one of the biggest energy consumers among all your appliances. Older fridges in
general use more electricity than the newer models. And when a fridge stops working, it will use
more electricity as it struggles to maintain a cool temperature despite a malfunctioning
compressor, a tired motor and leaky seals. Families that replace their old refrigerators notice
immediate savings on their energy bills.
Although refrigerators have become considerably more energy efficient over the past two
decades, they still account for a substantial share of household electricity use. This share differs
significantly between countries, depending on the average energy efficiency of the refrigerator
stock and on the amount of other electric appliances used in households. It shows that in IEA
member countries, the share of refrigeration in residential electricity consumption has declined
between 1990 and 2000 (IEA, 2003) to about 13%. In the US, it is estimates that today
refrigerators are responsible for about 10% of household electricity use (AHAM, 2010).
To save energy, household must always check the seals of the door. 1.) Your refrigerator
could be wasting a huge amount of energy if the seals are worn or loose. 2.) Make sure there are
a few inches of space between your refrigerator and the wall to maintain good air circulation.
This will help your refrigerator run more efficiently. 3.) Refrigerators that do not have an
automatic defrost setting typically use less energy than other refrigerators, but they must be
manually defrosted to maintain efficiency. It is good practice to manually defrost whenever ice
becomes 1/4 inch thick.
Water Heaters
Water Heater Age Rating
Champs Titanium 6 Years 3500 Watts

Conventional storage water heaters typically lasts 10 to 15 years. In contrast, the


manufacturers of electric and gas tankless water heaters interviewed as part of this study
indicated that tankless units have a longer life expectancy than conventional water heaters. The
U.S. Department of Energy also indicated that tankless units last more than 20 years. (U.S. DOE
EERE, 2003)
The main causes that determine the life expectancy of water heaters is the accumulation
of minerals such as calcium inside the unit. Minerals dissolved in the water can accumulate on
the tank and heating element. But the recent tests conducted by Bradford White Corporation
found that tankless water heaters buildup more line scale than conventional ones.
The energy efficiency of water heaters is described in terms of its “energy factor” (EF).
The energy factor is a measure of the portion of input energy (gas or electricity) that is
transferred to the hot water. The higher the energy factor value, the more efficient the water
heater. As such, the energy factor is mainly a function of the efficiency of the heating element
and heat losses from the water heater.
Over time scale deposits act as an insulator, causing the water heater to work harder and
harder to heat the water. This reduces the energy efficiency of the water heater by up to 50%.
This loss of efficiency in the heat transfer directly affects heaters ability to heat water to high
temperatures in short amounts of time. Studies show the water temperature decreases 5°C with a
limescale thickness of 2mm after 480 seconds. The water heater will eventually fail due to this
excessive heat caused by the insulative properties of scale. A water heater ‘s useful life can be
reduced by as much as 50% through scale build-up.
Water Dispenser
Water Dispenser Age Rating
Camel CWD16HC-DP2 5 Years 85 Watts

The water cooler with timer used 0.2 kilowatt-hours in a 24-hour period, which equates to
around 81 kilowatt-hours per year. The water cooler was using power for 2 hours and 15 minutes
of the 24-hour period. While the water cooler without timer used 0.3 kilowatt-hours in a 24-hour
period, which equates to about 109 kilowatt-hours per year. The water cooler was using power
for 3 hours and 5 minutes of the 24-hour period.
If you have a water cooler with a hot and cold option, consider deactivating the hot water
option. This will yield the biggest savings. A kettle used only when needed would be a better
option. If you already have a refrigerator, switch the water cooler off completely, and a keep a
filtered water in it.
Networking Equipment
Optical Network Unit FiberHome AN5506-04 3 Years 30 Watts
Router ASUS RT-N18U 3 Years 18 Watts

Routers use relatively little power to operate. Most models use between 2 and 20 watts of
power. This is roughly like leaving one CFL bulb turned on all the time. Power consumption
does, however, vary by the model. For example, units with multiple Wi-Fi antennas tend to use
more electricity. Consumption can also vary by settings, so refer to the manual to determine the
most efficient settings available. The exact cost of running the Wi-Fi router depends on the
power consumption of the unit and the cost of your electricity. In most areas, it comes to less
than $1 per month. Although this doesn’t sound like a huge amount of power, consider that
millions of these devices are running in households throughout the country. Collectively, this
power really adds up.
Low-power mode is a setting on energy-efficient routers and modems that sets the device
to standby or sleep mode when it’s not actively working. A report by California Energy
Commission estimates most devices should spend 80 percent of their time in LPM to reduce
energy consumption.
Energy-efficient Ethernet (EEE) is an IEEE standard developed to scale network power
consumption up or down depending on usage. ENERGY STAR®–rated routers adhere to IEEE
standards, making them desirable small business technology upgrades.
Blender
Blender Age Rating
Asahi BL-767 6 Years 450 Watts

The fact is that unless a Blender is used constantly, they do not consume much electricity.
Nevertheless, they do consume. There is only one real energy saving step for Blenders. When
shopping for a Blender you do not need to buy a model with higher wattage for more power and
better results. A Blender can range from 300 watts all the way up to 500 watts.
The 500-watt model will have a higher electric bill and according to studies done in
reports for consumers, there will not be any better results. For example, the extra wattage
providing more power doesn't chop ice any better or faster than a blender using 200 watts less.

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