Energy efficiency is a critical aspect of modern computing, especially for users who rely on portable devices like MacBooks. Efficient energy usage not only extends battery life but also reduces the environmental impact of technology. This article will explore various methods and best practices to enhance energy efficiency on macOS devices. We will cover system settings, software optimizations, and hardware considerations to help you get the most out of your Apple device's battery life.

Examples:

1. Adjusting Energy Saver Settings:
macOS provides built-in energy-saving settings that can be customized to improve battery life.

• Open "System Preferences" and select "Battery" (or "Energy Saver" on older macOS versions).


• Adjust the "Battery" and "Power Adapter" settings to optimize energy usage.


• 
  

  Enable "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" and "Slightly dim the display while on battery power."

  
  

  # Command to adjust sleep settings via Terminal
  
  sudo pmset -b sleep 10
  
  sudo pmset -b displaysleep 5

  
  

2. Managing Background Processes:
Background processes can consume significant power. Monitoring and managing these processes can lead to better energy efficiency.

• Open "Activity Monitor" from the "Utilities" folder.


• 
  

  Sort processes by "Energy Impact" to identify and terminate high-energy-consuming applications.

  
  

  # Command to list processes sorted by energy impact
  
  pmset -g thermlog

  
  

3. Optimizing Screen Brightness and Keyboard Backlight:
Reducing screen brightness and keyboard backlight can save a considerable amount of energy.

• Use the brightness keys on the keyboard to adjust the screen brightness.


• 
  

  Open "System Preferences" and select "Keyboard" to adjust the keyboard backlight settings.

  
  

  # Command to set display brightness to 50%
  
  sudo brightness 0.5

  
  

4. Updating Software and Firmware:
Keeping your macOS and applications up-to-date ensures that you benefit from the latest energy efficiency improvements and bug fixes.

• Open "System Preferences" and select "Software Update" to check for updates.


• 
  

  Regularly update all installed applications from the App Store.

  
  

  # Command to update macOS via Terminal
  
  softwareupdate -i -a

  
  

5. Using Energy-Efficient Applications:
Some applications are more energy-efficient than others. Opt for native macOS applications and those optimized for energy efficiency.

• Use Safari instead of other web browsers as it is optimized for macOS.


• Avoid running multiple applications simultaneously if not necessary.