American workers waste $2.8 billion leaving computers on

Nearly half of U.S. employees who use a PC at work don’t shut down their computers at the end of the day, wasting $2.8 billion every year.

Even a company with 10,000 PC's can save more than $165,000 a year in energy costs just by hutting down computers each night.

Data collected between September and October 2008 reveals that more than one-third of employees in the U.K. 32 % of U.S. employees and 17 % of German employees who use a PC at work said they either have no idea what power scheme settings are, or how to change the power settings on their PC's.

The survey also reveals that the U.S. employees that do power down do so to make sure their PC's work properly and to comply with company policy, not because they are interested in saving money or the environment.

The externally-attached ecobutton (http://www.eco-button.com/) lets you hit a button (think Staples' easy button) to powerdown when you step away, without having to reset your computer's settings.

Green Gadgets at CES

I was excited to see that CES advertised an expanded GreenGadget zone at this years 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 8-11. However, I was not excited about the GreenGadget zone that I saw. In fact, the more exciting green tech products were NOT "in the zone." For example, iGo, makers of laptop and mobile device chargers, debuted a laptop charger, surge protector and wall outlet that eliminate "vampire power" - that is the power used by devices in off or standby modes - with automatic shut-off, and use 80% less standby power than standard power products. HiSense, a television manufacturer from China, has a LED, yes L-E-D, flat-screen TV, although it isn't set to debut in North America for at least six months. And Micro Innovations featured a lovely bamboo keyboard, mouse, webcam, USB hub and speaker ensemble. They also provide energy-saving surge protectors.
That being said, in the zone, I had two favorites. Fulfilling some of my need for speed, ELV Motors had the fastest (and most sylish) electric bike (up to 28mph!) at the show. We rode it inside the convention center and will post the video later. Fun!
My top pick is the EcoButton. Think Staples Easy Button for energy savings! Once click of the big white button puts your computer in sleep mode. It works just like the sleep button you may have on your keyboard already but never use. This conspicuous fun green and white button is a visual reminder to turn off your computer when you aren't using it. Best part is, with one tap of any key, it returns you instantly to where you left off, after displaying a screen shot of how much money you just saved and how much you reduced your carbon footprint! Simple. Fun. The best way to go green.