How to save energy while using tech

Posted on: 22 April 2025 in Tech Tips

Technology has changed our lives beyond recognition, but our devices also consume a lot of energy, from the day they are produced to the day they are replaced.

Saving energy is one of the things we can all do to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable world. From buying ethically produced tech to switching your phone off, these small, easy actions can make a big difference. 

Purchase ethical tech, and keep it 

Technology uses a lot of energy, from battery charging to wireless connections, but did you know that some of the biggest carbon footprints come from the production of new devices? 

For example, 85% of the overall carbon footprint of a laptop comes from the production of and materials required for the motherboard, Solid State Drive (SSD) and display.  

So, you can save energy from day 1 with your device by buying reconditioned laptops, phones and tablets. As well as being more sustainable, reconditioned tech is a more budget-friendly option, so you can save your money for something even better than the latest model.  

And if you keep your phone until you need a new one, rather than running out to buy a new one as soon as an upgrade becomes available, you can reduce your impact even more. 

Turn on battery saver/low power mode 

Most devices, including laptops and mobile phones, have battery saver/low power settings available which reduce battery consumption. Battery saver and low power modes temporarily turn off things which use a lot of power like automatic email syncing, and implement other power saving methods, like turning down your screen brightness.  

They normally turn on automatically when your battery is very low, ie around 20%, but you can switch this on earlier or customise the default switch-on point to conserve your battery life more often. 

Use dark mode 

As darker or dimmer pixels use less power, reducing the brightness of your screen or using dark mode can significantly reduce the amount of power your devices are using.  

Do not reduce brightness to the point where it affects your ability to see what’s on your screen clearly though, as this can cause headaches or eye strain.  

Use standard definition video, or turn it off altogether 

Ultra HD video can use 8 times as much energy as standard definition, and if you are using a mobile phone to watch video, the smaller screen means you may not even notice the difference!  

If you’re listening to something, like music or a podcast, consider if you even need to keep the video on. Many of us enjoy the audio element of a podcast while doing something else, like housework, leaving the unwatched video wasting energy. 

Turn off push 

Limiting push notifications can save power as the app pushing notifications is reducing contact with your device. 

Only use push notifications which are necessary and consider turning them off altogether in the evening, to help you wind down. 

Switch off 

Battery saver and sleep mode uses less energy than actively using your devices, but nothing saves more energy than switching them off altogether. Regularly turning off your devices also forces essential updates, keeping them more secure and giving you access to the latest new features. 

If you switch off your devices at the end of the day, you’re also less likely to return to your work or studies after hours, giving your mind and eyes a much-needed rest. 

What do you do to save energy while using tech for your work or studies?  

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