Green by Association

Does using a green web host provider make you green too? Of course it does. You may not have your house decked out in solar panels but little changes can have a big effect. Just by switching to energy efficient light bulbs you save loads on your electric bills, and they last longer too! Here is some advice for the green minded web host.

Gadgets. What computers do you use? Shop around for computers that have the Energy Star label on them. Energy Star is a joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that tries to help everyone be efficient economically and ecologically. They have strict guidelines as to what can make the cut, so it is not just another silly sticker attached to your fridge or computer. It is a guarantee that by using that product you are being green. The products pay for themselves in the end, saving you money on your utility bills and helping you save the earth by cutting down on the production of green house gas emissions.

Your computer settings have a huge effect too. Most computers come equipped with the ability to change your battery power settings between High Performance, Power Save, and Balanced. High performance uses more energy, making your battery charge shorter, but gives you what it advertises. Not very green. Power Save mode cuts back on energy where your computer can, allowing you to use your computer and save your battery energy. A great setting if you aren’t doing very much on your computer. Then there’s always the voice of reason, Balanced. It equalizes performance and energy. A decent compromise I am sure if you are busy coding your website and making updates. It allows you to enjoy your social networking sites and code in a peaceful state of easy surfing. People with PC’s instead of laptops don’t have to worry about their battery dying, but trust me, you need to lower your power settings too. Everything makes a difference.

Programs can really kill. You know those really great disc games people love to play when pretending to work on those pie charts or CSS templates? They take a lot of power to run. They use up your battery power in no time, and it’s almost guaranteed that if you play them you have to be near a power outlet. The key to this is easy. Cut back on the games every once in a while and read a book. It won’t hurt you. And those great web developer programs like dream weaver and photo editing and design ones like Photoshop? Power suckers too. So just like the games, everything is good in moderation. It’s just like junk food; too much is really bad for you. Only the one taking the hit in this round is the earth.

These are all great ways to add to your already green web host provider. Follow a good example, change your light bulbs, adjust your power settings, there’s millions of ways to be greener in your technologically based life.

Did you know? Choosing a 300% green web hosting is not only making your sites green, but also allow you to do your part in neutralizing the world’s carbon footprints by 200%.