What is energy efficient code?
Energy-efficient web code refers to website design and coding practices that minimise the amount of energy consumed by devices when accessing and displaying web content.
Plain language explanation of energy efficient code
Optimised Code – Use of clean, efficient code that performs tasks quickly without unnecessary computations.
Minimal Resources – Reducing the size of images, videos, and other media files so they load faster and use less data.
Efficient Scripts – Using lightweight JavaScript and other scripts that don’t overburden the device’s processor.
Server Efficiency – Ensuring the website’s server responds quickly and uses resources wisely to serve web pages.
Less Data Transfer – Minimising the amount of data that needs to be sent over the internet to load a webpage.
Examples of code
Inefficient:
<!– Inefficient HTML example –>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang=”en”>
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
<script src=”large-script.js”></script>
<style>
body {
background-image: url(‘large-background.jpg’);
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
<p>This is a sample paragraph.</p>
<img src=”large-image.jpg” alt=”A large image”>
</body>
</html>
Efficient:
<!– Efficient HTML example –>
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang=”en”>
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
<link rel=”stylesheet” href=”styles.css”>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
<p>This is a sample paragraph.</p>
<img src=”optimized-image.jpg” alt=”An optimized image”>
<script src=”optimized-script.js” async></script>
</body>
</html>
Why energy efficient code is the future
Webmasters and developers should use energy-efficient code to enhance website performance, reduce operational costs, and promote environmental sustainability.
This approach to code leads to faster loading times, improving user experience and satisfaction, which can increase engagement and conversion rates. It also reduces the strain on servers and user devices, lowering energy consumption and extending device lifespan. By minimising data transfer and processing requirements, webmasters can cut down on hosting expenses and contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of their digital operations. Embracing these practices is a smart and responsible choice that benefits both businesses and the planet.