Battery power is automatically conserved each time an AC power source is used to run the computer. The batterys life expectancy is largely determined by the number of charges it receives, so use an AC power source to run the computer if one is available.

Reasons to use Power Management: 1) Prolongs battery life for portable and embedded systems. 2) Reduces cooling requirements. 3) Reduces noise. 4) Reduces operating costs for energy and cooling. 5) Lower power consumption also means lower heat dissipation, which increases system stability, and less energy use, which saves money and reduces the impact on the environment.

To maximize power savings, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends setting computers to enter hibernate mode after 30 to 60 minutes of inactivity. To save even more, set monitors to enter sleep mode after 5 to 20 minutes of inactivity. The lower the setting, the more energy you save.