In the digital age, computers and hi-tech devices have become inseparable companions in our daily lives, essential tools for work, study, and leisure. From remote work to entertainment, our lives are increasingly connected. This growing dependence on technology, however, comes at a significant energy cost that is reflected in our utility bills and on the environment. In a context like Italy’s, where Mediterranean culture blends tradition and innovation, finding a balance between technological passion and energy savings becomes a priority. Understanding the consumption of our devices and adopting virtuous practices is the first step toward more conscious and sustainable use, without sacrificing performance and fun.

Digitalization has transformed our habits, bringing benefits such as reduced travel thanks to remote work. However, the increased time spent at home translates into greater use of electronic devices, with a consequent increase in household energy consumption. The impact is not just individual: the global digital infrastructure, composed of immense data centers that power our streaming and cloud services, requires enormous amounts of energy. It therefore becomes crucial to adopt an approach that integrates technological innovation with the wisdom of tradition, which has always been oriented toward a frugal use of resources.

The Energy Footprint of the Digital World

Every online action we take, from sending an email to watching a movie on streaming, contributes to the digital world’s energy footprint. This energy is consumed not only by our personal devices but, above all, by data centers, the massive infrastructures that store and process data. It is estimated that data centers account for about 1% of global electricity consumption, a figure set to grow with the exponential increase in internet traffic. Even tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta consume amounts of energy comparable to entire nations. This scenario highlights the need for greater energy efficiency at all levels, from data center design to our daily habits.

Even remote work, while reducing transport-related emissions, contributes to increased household energy consumption. Working from home means keeping computers, monitors, and other equipment on for many hours. Conscious use, such as taking advantage of natural light and turning off devices when not in use, can make a big difference. Adopting good practices thus becomes essential to balance the benefits of remote work with the need to contain costs and environmental impact, promoting a culture of sustainability even within our homes.

How Much Our Devices Really Consume

Understanding how much individual devices consume is the first step toward targeted savings. A gaming PC, for example, is among the most power-hungry: it can consume an average of 300 to 500 watts per hour, due to powerful hardware components like high-performance graphics cards and processors. A desktop computer for office use has lower consumption, around 65-250 watts, plus that of the monitor. Laptops are decidedly more efficient, with an average consumption of about 60 watts per hour. New-generation consoles, like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, also have significant power draw, which can reach up to 200 watts during gaming sessions. These figures show how the choice and use of devices can significantly impact the energy bill.

The Plague of Standby Mode

A silent enemy of energy savings is standby mode. Many electronic devices, even when they seem to be off, continue to consume power to remain ready for a quick restart. A television, for example, can consume a significant portion of the energy it uses when on, just by being in standby. According to estimates by ENEA, a single device can consume from 1 to 4 watts per hour in this mode. Although the consumption of a single device may seem negligible, the sum of all devices left on standby in a home—from the computer to the modem, from the coffee machine to the charger plugged into the outlet—can account for up to 8% of the annual energy bill. This is why it is crucial to eliminate standby consumption by completely turning off appliances or using power strips with a switch.

Practical Strategies to Reduce Consumption

Reducing the energy consumption of computers and consoles doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing performance or fun. There are numerous simple and effective strategies that anyone can adopt. The first rule is to optimize the power-saving settings of the operating system, on both Windows and macOS. These options allow you to configure automatic monitor shutdown and computer sleep mode after a period of inactivity, drastically reducing waste. Another good habit is to lower the screen brightness, which significantly affects consumption, and to choose more efficient LED monitors. Even choosing low-power hardware components when purchasing or upgrading can make a big difference in the long run.

Optimizing Your PC for Work and Gaming

For those who use their computer for many hours, whether for work or play, there are specific tips. For gaming, an effective practice is to limit the frames per second (FPS) to your monitor’s refresh rate. Playing at 180 FPS on a 60 Hz screen offers no visible benefits but forces the graphics card to do unnecessary work and consume high amounts of energy. Regularly updating graphics card drivers can also improve efficiency. For daily use, it’s helpful to disable unnecessary operating system animations and close unneeded background programs. Furthermore, using power strips with a switch allows you to turn off the PC, monitor, printers, and other peripherals with a single flick, eliminating standby consumption. These small actions, when added up, lead to significant energy savings.

Configuring Consoles for Savings

Modern gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S also offer power-saving modes that are worth configuring correctly. By default, these consoles often enter a ‘rest’ or ‘instant-on’ mode which, while allowing for quick startup and background updates, maintains a non-negligible energy consumption. It is advisable to activate the full ‘energy saving’ mode, which almost completely shuts down the console, reducing consumption to less than a watt. You can also customize what the console can do in rest mode, disabling non-essential functions like continuous controller charging. Completely turning off the console when you don’t plan to use it for several hours is the wisest choice to cut bill costs.

The Role of Regulations and Energy Labels

The European Union plays an active role in promoting energy efficiency through specific regulations. The Ecodesign directive sets minimum efficiency requirements for numerous products, including electronics, and imposes strict limits on standby and off-mode consumption. These regulations push manufacturers to develop increasingly efficient technologies. In parallel, energy labels, recently updated with a simpler A to G scale, provide consumers with clear and immediate information about a product’s consumption. Choosing a device with a better energy class, such as an A-class appliance, translates into economic savings and a lower environmental impact throughout its life cycle.

Conclusion

The integration of technology into our daily lives is an irreversible process that offers countless advantages. However, the growing dependence on computers, consoles, and hi-tech devices requires a new awareness of their energy consumption. Adopting an approach that combines technological innovation with good saving practices is crucial not only to lighten the utility bill but also to contribute to a more sustainable future. From choosing efficient components to correctly configuring power-saving options, to the simple habit of completely turning off devices, every action counts. In an Italy that looks to the future without forgetting the tradition of wise resource use, working and having fun in a smart and efficient way is the real victory, uniting the best of Mediterranean culture and digital innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions