BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — A fourth-grader has told Monroe County officials that they could save $25,000 a year by turning off computers at night.

Ten-year-old Wynn Brower discovered in a science project for school that by turning off his home's four computers at night, the family would save $1 per day.

Wynn's father, Bill Brower, works in the county's technical services department. He suggested that his son expand his project to the county government and describe it to the council.

"I was nervous, because I hadn't really prepared for the talking," Wynn said after the presentation last week. He said he was glad his father was along to help.

Wynn demonstrated how he used a device to test the energy use of a laptop and desktop computer, then extrapolated the results to the county's 550 computers. He came up with a savings of $25,000 a year if all computers are turned off at the end of the work day.

County department heads decided that it would now be their policy to turn off computers at night, except on Mondays when the network is updated.

County Councilwoman Jill Lesh said Wynn's idea will help the county meet its goal of a 5 percent reduction in energy use this year.

"He was very, very proud of his role in this issue," she said.

Wynn got an A-plus and second place on his project when he entered it in his school's science fair.

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Information from: The Herald-Times, http://www.heraldtimesonline.com