While much of the IT industry has focused on data center energy efficiency, the world’s more than 1 billion PCs are an unexpected drain of energy and source of carbon emissions. Specifically, PCs energy consumption correlates to an average of 1,000 lbs of carbon dioxide and worldwide can consume about 506 billion kWh per year - the equivalent of 70 million cars on the road.  

“PCs are the hidden energy hogs of the home and most users have no idea that they are needlessly throwing away 80 percent of their PC’s energy,” said Kevin Klustner, Verdiem’s President and CEO. “If just 1 percent of all PCs used Edison we could potentially reduce environmental impacts by 7 billion tons of CO2, which is equal to taking more than 5 million cars off the road. By finding ways to embed offsets in our daily life – even something as simple as downloading software – we will create permanent reductions in energy use and have a huge impact on our environment and resource sustainability.”

Power in numbers

Verdiem, Microsoft and the Climate Savers Computing Initiative aim to empower individual PC users to understand the energy and environmental impacts of PC power management and take control of their power efficiency. This is part of a larger vision to encourage the public to reduce CO2 emissions in both their work and home lives. 

Microsoft, a worldwide leader in software, services and solutions, is asking its Windows PC users to augment current PC power settings with Edison software. “Microsoft is committed to forging partnerships and developing innovative software solutions and services that enable people and organizations to reduce their impact on the environment,” said Rob Bernard, Chief Environmental Strategist, Microsoft. “We are pleased to collaborate with Verdiem and Climate Savers Computing to introduce Edison, a free PC energy management solution.  With a proven enterprise PC energy management solution, SURVEYOR, Verdiem has demonstrated the ability to deliver excellent customer solutions and now with Edison, consumers can reduce their household greenhouse gas emissions and control energy costs.”

Verdiem and Microsoft are both members of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, a nonprofit group of eco-conscious consumers, businesses and conservation organizations committed to reducing the power consumption of PCs and servers. The organization recognizes the value and importance of PC power management and its potential effects.

“Recent studies predict PC ownership will quadruple to 4 billion and double emissions by 2020, so implementing PC energy management solutions at home and in the workplace is a vital component of climate protection,” said Lorie Wigle, President of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. “Tools like Edison can help consumers control and monitor their PC’s energy intake and make a real difference in the way they manage the power consumption of the technology they use.”

EDISON Features

The Edison software application offers a simple solution for the individual PC user. Developed from SURVEYOR, Verdiem's powerful commercial PC energy-saving software, Edison's features include:

·         Scheduling – allows users to identify work and non-work schedules to optimize power schemes based on when the PC is in use or on standby.

·         Settings – provides several options of desired power savings and settings. Simply choose the most appropriate and it applies 24x7x365.

·         Estimated Savings Reports – offers information that correlates PC power settings to money, kWh and CO2 savings.

·         Intuitive User Interface – easy to use sliding bars help consumers choose settings and instantly see the power and monetary savings. Clearly marked tabs help users navigate through the interface.

In conjunction with Letrex Services, Edison is available in the UK today at no cost. To download the solution, and reduce your household’s greenhouse gas emissions please visit www.verdiem.com/edison .