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Computers don't mind being off

 It's a myth that turning computers on and off a lot harms them, or that it uses more electricity than keeping them on.

The tiny power surge that occurs when you turn your computer back on takes far less energy than keeping it on when not in use.

Modern computers can stand 40 000 on-off cycles, which is almost certainly many more than they're likely to endure in their lifespans. (If you had one model for four years and turned it on and off five times a day every day, you'd still only put it through 7300 cycles.)

So switch your computer off once you've finished with it for the day, and remind others in your workplace to do the same.

- Olivia Rose-Innes, EnviroHealth Editor, Health24, October 2012

Got a good green or event tip to share? Email me at oroseinn@sa.24.com or post on the EnviroHealth Forum – if it's a planet-saver, we'll publish it.

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