Reducing power consumption and using technology sustainably

In short: By avoiding standby, using efficient devices, power-saving modes and buying consciously you can lower electricity costs and CO₂; computers, consoles, servers and streaming have different shares.

In more detail: 1 kWh costs in Germany roughly 30 to 40 cents (check tariffs). Power (W) × time (h) = energy (Wh). Whoever measures their consumption knows where it pays. Example calculations are rough guide values.

In Depth

Measuring and calculating

• An energy meter (adapter plug, about €10–20) shows watts and kWh.
• Example: PC 150 W on average, 4 h/day → 0.6 kWh/day ≈ 219 kWh/year ≈ €70–85/year. Console 120 W, 2 h/day ≈ 88 kWh ≈ €30. Monitor 25 W, router 10 W (24/7 → 88 kWh ≈ €30), NAS/home server 20 W (24/7 ≈ 175 kWh ≈ €55), Raspberry Pi 3–5 W (≈ 35 kWh ≈ €10).
• Standby adds up (€10–100 per year per household): TV, amplifier, power adapters, consoles in energy-saving mode.
• Use the site’s tool/calculator (electricity/utilities).

Saving measures

• Switchable power strip for standby devices.
• Power-saving modes: PC/laptop to hibernate/standby after 10–15 min; lower screen brightness, dark mode on OLED saves a little.
• Efficient power supplies (80 PLUS Gold), do not oversize the graphics card, FPS limit/V-sync, undervolting (see article), eco mode on consoles.
• Laptop instead of desktop often saves half.
• Home server: frugal hardware (mini PC/Pi), spin down disks, consolidate services.
• Router/Fritz!Box: Wi-Fi night switch-off, unused functions off.
• LED lighting, efficient appliances (energy label A–G), green electricity/tariff change, possibly dynamic tariff.
• Heating/cooking are bigger levers than electronics; set sensible priorities.

Digital and environment

• Manufacturing often makes up the largest share of the CO₂ footprint of phones/laptops: using longer (repair, replace battery, buy used) is more effective than “saving power”.
• Streaming/cloud/AI: data centres consume power; reduce resolution, downloads instead of constant streaming, tidying mail brings little, video resolution and device choice far more.
• AI use has energy costs (see AI speed calculator): use deliberately.
• Data centres increasingly use green electricity/waste heat.
• Recognise greenwashing (check labels: Blue Angel, EU energy label).
• Dispose of old devices correctly.

Small calculation and everyday life

• A one-off action (e.g. power strip, €20) often pays back in under a year; new purchase only if the old one is very inefficient (fridge > 15 years) – consider total CO₂ including manufacturing.
• Habits: switch off lights/devices, washing/dishwasher eco programme, save hot water.
• Join in: household book/energy tracker, set goals.
• For business/shop: electricity costs deductible as business expense, IT power consumption part of the calculation.
• See power supplies/80 PLUS, undervolting, Raspberry Pi.

See also: Power supply and 80 PLUS, Undervolting, Waste electrical equipment and ElektroG, Homelab and self-hosting