Shedding the Light on the Power of Dark Mode

In today's digital age, even minor changes to how we use our devices can result in significant energy savings. One such change is the switch to dark mode. According to recent calculations, the energy savings would be astounding if everyone in Canada switched to dark mode on their phones and computer screens. To put this in perspective, these savings are equivalent to powering over 290,000 Tesla vehicles annually.

The Dark Mode Advantage

As most know, dark mode is a display option with a dark background and light text on most devices. This mode is not only visually appealing, but it also saves a significant amount of energy, particularly on OLED and AMOLED screens. According to research, including a Purdue University study, using dark mode can save up to 43% of smartphone battery life. Dark mode on computer screens can save around 25% of energy.

The Canadian Context

Let us apply these savings to Canada, focusing on the population that is most likely to own and use electronic devices, which is roughly 70.7% of the total population, or approximately 26.9 million people. Assuming each person has one phone and one computer screen, both of which are set to dark mode, the potential energy savings are significant.

For Phones:

• Average phone battery capacity: 4,500 mAh at 3.7V
• Energy saved per phone: 7.1595 Wh
• Total daily energy saved by 26.9 million phones: 192,073,550 Wh

For Computer Screens:

• Average daily power consumption: 400 Wh
• Energy saved per screen: 100 Wh
• Total daily energy saved by 26.9 million screens: 2,690,000,000 Wh

Combined Total Energy Savings:

• Daily energy savings: 2,882,073,550 Wh
• Annual energy savings: 1,052 GWh

Powering Tesla Cars for a Year with Dark Mode Savings

To understand the magnitude of these savings, compare them to the energy consumption of Tesla electric vehicles. A Tesla Model 3, one of the most popular electric vehicles, consumes an average of 18.1 kWh per 100 kilometres. Assuming an average annual driving distance of 20,000 kilometres per vehicle:

Annual Energy Consumption for One Tesla Model 3:

• Annual distance: 20,000 km
• Energy consumption: 18.1 kWh per 100 km
• Annual energy required: 20,000 km divided by 100 km times 18.1 kWh equals 3,620 

Annual Energy Savings from Dark Mode: 1,052 GWh

• The energy required to power one Tesla Model 3 for a year: 3,620 kWh
• The number of Tesla Model 3s powered for a year with 1,052,000,000 kWh divided by 3,620 kWh equals 290,607 Tesla Model 3s

This means the energy saved by switching all phones and computer screens in Canada to dark mode for a year is equivalent to powering approximately 290,607 Tesla Model 3s for a year.

Environmental Impact

Adopting dark mode not only saves energy but also significantly reduces carbon emissions. Assuming the saved energy would otherwise come from fossil fuel sources, and considering that 1 kWh of electricity generation typically emits about 0.5 kg of CO2, the potential reduction in CO2 emissions would be:

1,052,000,000 kWh × 0.5 kg CO2/kWh equals 526,000,000 kg CO2 

or approximately 526,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.

Global Impact of Dark Mode

Switching to dark mode on all phones and computer screens globally could lead to significant energy savings. If about 70.7% of the global population (approximately 5.69 billion people) used dark mode, the annual energy savings would be around 222,554 GWh. This amount of energy is equivalent to powering approximately 61.5 million Tesla Model 3s for a year. Additionally, it would result in a reduction of approximately 111.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, showcasing the substantial environmental benefits of such a simple change.

Conclusion

The simple act of turning on dark mode on our devices can result in significant energy savings. This change not only reduces our energy consumption but also helps to reduce carbon emissions, resulting in a greener planet. As we continue to look for ways to save energy and protect the environment, using dark mode is a small but significant step in the right direction.

By making this change, Canadians can show that even minor changes in our daily routines can have a significant environmental impact. So, let us embrace dark mode and work toward a more sustainable future, one screen at a time.