Leaving Computer on overnight

derrybhoy

Hi everyone,

Couldnt think where else to put this question so i thought in here was the best place.

Does anyone know if it is cheaper to run a computer overnight and never turn it off than it would be to turn it on and off everyday.

Cheers

Nile

Hello derrybhoy


Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

I've moved your thread to the 'Techie Stuff' board, where it should get more views and responses.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [email="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/email].

Kind Regards

Nile

intel

I would turn it off as that will save burning your house down.

:wave:Nile

alanobrien

derrybhoy wrote:

Hi everyone,
Couldnt think where else to put this question so i thought in here was the best place.

Does anyone know if it is cheaper to run a computer overnight and never turn it off than it would be to turn it on and off everyday.
Cheers

Simply put if the Power supply is 400w then when the PC is running that is the amount of electricity it is using.
(Give or take some bit shutting down).

If the PC is off then its consuming no power.
So i think that answers itself.

What you cant sensibly account for is the wear and tear of constantly switching a pc on and off. Then again they are designed for this.

In short for the biggest savings only switch it on when you need to use it unless you are using it as a network server but thats another story.

tigermatt

I turn all my PCs off except the server downstairs which runs 24-7, mainly because it is an email server and it performs all its housekeeping in the early hours.

Poppycat

I have had my server running 24/7 for the last 5 years no problems with it at all. It gets shut down from the occasional update, hardware update etc. I do regularly clean it too from dust, it is over due and defrag it mainly in the wee hours.

The other pc in the house arent on as much, so I always shut them down when not in use. I also employ power mangement so it regularly shuts devices down when not in use.

caveat_emptor

derrybhoy wrote:

Hi everyone,
Couldnt think where else to put this question so i thought in here was the best place.
Does anyone know if it is cheaper to run a computer overnight and never turn it off than it would be to turn it on and off everyday.
Cheers

Cost of electricity would be cheaper if you turned it off overnight but there are other considerations. It's said that the shock to the system on start up could reduce the life of a PC but I haven't seen any data to support this. There is also risk of electrical fault leading to fire but I haven't seen any data for this either.
Take a look at https://www.tranquilpc.co.uk for costs of running PC.
My PC is normally running during the day but I turn it off overnight.

intel

Ummm the OP had no mention of a server.

Its cheaper to turn off as then you arent using any electrickery
also it seriously does cut down the risk of a PC fire and saves
a little bit of the enviroment and for people who do have a server
at home just to say "Ive got a server at home" or to catch the odd email
I think its a bit selfish to leave the thing on.


Edit: Proof of PC fire it happened to a neighbour whos house was wrecked.

Er shock to a PC on start up... Mmm how is it meant to come on then

Ember999

I never even considered PC fires! That's a scary thought. I have always left my desktop on 24/7 for the last 5 years lol. Not had a fire yet (touch wood) but now you mention it, I think i'll start shutting it down at night. Problem is i'm prone to coming down in the night to go on PC, would be such a pain to have to boot up when I am only wanting a quick nosey on the web etc.

intel

Ember999 wrote:

I never even considered PC fires! That's a scary thought. I have always left my desktop on 24/7 for the last 5 years lol. Not had a fire yet (touch wood) but now you mention it, I think i'll start shutting it down at night. Problem is i'm prone to coming down in the night to go on PC, would be such a pain to have to boot up when I am only wanting a quick nosey on the web etc.

I would also just give it a spring clean,

With an Artists paint brush and a can of compressed air or vacuum.

Disconnect PC then take PC cover off and either blow the dust out and lightly
brush any dust away in a well ventilated room or outside, or Vacuum the dust out but dont touch anything inside with the vacuum and lightly brush away dust, Where the Power Supply fan is I would blow that out first.

Once all dust free there will be a massively lowered risk of fire hazard
and the PC will be more efficient at circulating air.

Please beware you do this at your own risk, as I am well aware of the
way to do this I always reccomend this, if you are not sure take it to a PC
shop they will charge about £10-£20 its just very good PC housekeeping.

tigermatt

Ember999 wrote:

I never even considered PC fires! That's a scary thought. I have always left my desktop on 24/7 for the last 5 years lol. Not had a fire yet (touch wood) but now you mention it, I think i'll start shutting it down at night. Problem is i'm prone to coming down in the night to go on PC, would be such a pain to have to boot up when I am only wanting a quick nosey on the web etc.

Why not just hibernate your PC (if using XP) It saves all of your currently opened programs and stuff in memory to disk then you can power off. Next time you turn on it not only turns on quicker, it means all your programs are open again and you are back running just as before. You may need to turn it on in Screen Saver > Power > Hibernate options. Then when you shut down either hold down ctrl I think, could be alt or shift though, then select hibernate or pick hibernate from menu.