Running a business today is complex. Companies must navigate governmental regulations, green goals, and social mandates. Greater sustainability and reducing waste are examples of such initiatives.
ENERGY STAR® helps meet these initiatives. Still in effect at the time of writing, the federal program helps businesses identify energy-efficient services and products, such as industrial computers. Businesses can thus meet their quarterly profit as well as be legally and socially responsible.
- Defining ENERGY STAR
- What is ENERGY STAR on My Computer?
- Benefits of an ENERGY STAR Computer
- Saving Even More With An ENERGY STAR Computer
Defining ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a rating system for energy efficiency. You cannot miss the ENERGY STAR labels: the distinctive white letters-on-blue square can be found on many products, from the previously mentioned industrial computers to household appliances to buildings.
The US government created the ENERGY STAR program. It is run jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The program aims to aid consumers and businesses when shopping for environmentally friendly products.
Some examples of ENERGY STAR-certified products and their savings include:
- Room air conditioners use 15 to 26 percent less energy than non-ENERGY STAR AC units.
- Light bulbs that use up to 90 percent less energy than standard bulbs. They also produce 70 to 90 percent less heat and last up to 15 times longer.
- Residential telephones that are 40 percent more efficient than similar non-ENERGY STAR phones.
- Enterprise servers for businesses that consume 30 percent less power than conventional ones.
- Vending machines built to be 40 percent more energy-efficient than standard ones.
Note these products have the same features as their non-labeled counterparts. Users don't suffer a loss in performance and comfort with their ENERGY STAR products.
What is ENERGY STAR on My Computer?
To qualify for the ENERGY STAR label, a computer has to be tested to have the following:
- Uses an energy-efficient power supply.
- Operates efficiently in power-saving modes. Examples: Standby/Off, Sleep, various idle modes, etc.
- Provides power management features. Examples: Power Save, Create a Power Plan, etc. Information about how to use those features should also be provided.
Generally, ENERGY STAR computers are certified to be 25 to 40 percent more energy efficient than non-certified PCs.
Computer monitors can also receive the label. ENERGY STAR monitors, like medical-grade monitors, use two watts or less in Sleep mode and one watt or less when off. Note that screen savers are not energy savers, as modern LCD color monitors no longer need them.
The EPA sets the ENERGY STAR guideline for computers and computer monitors. The current standard is ES8.0. Actual testing, though, is done by a third-party company.
Benefits of an ENERGY STAR Computer
The efficiency of ENERGY STAR computers brings numerous benefits to companies. Three major ones include:
Meet Green Initiatives
For companies, green initiatives are virtually any actions to increase sustainability and reduce environmental impact. ENERGY STAR computers satisfy this by using less power and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GTG).
Save Money
Computers with ENERGY STAR use less power, which means a smaller power bill. This is a boon for facilities like hospitals and oil and gas refineries, which heavily rely on computers and operate 24/7.
Improve Reputation
Many consumers today are eco-friendly and will ask businesses about their environmental practices. ENERGY STAR and similar programs can help a company stand out from the competition, leading to more sales.
Saving Even More With An ENERGY STAR Computer
Computer shoppers like yourself will find that the ENERGY STAR label cuts the search for energy-efficient models considerably. If you're looking for even "greener" options, ask yourself the following questions:
Is the computer EPEAT-certified? The Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool is run by the Green Electronics Council, a global non-profit organization. Products with the EPEAT label have been certified to be energy-efficient and meet ENERGY STAR requirements. You should look at EPEAT-labeled products, as they also meet other green initiatives, including the use of recycled materials and responsible product end-of-life management.
Is it fanless? Most consumer-grade (120mm) PC case fans consume 3.6 to 6 watts of electricity. You can eliminate such usage with computers that have a fanless design. They use passive cooling systems, such as heat sinks, and industrial-grade materials to stay cool without needing additional power.
Is Power over Ethernet a better option? PoE is a technology that combines the data cable and power cord used by most computers into a single Ethernet cable. Unsurprisingly, PoE industrial computers are extremely energy-efficient since they don't need power outlets. On the other hand, they have more requirements, such as needing additional server-side hardware.
Getting Your ENERGY STAR Computers Through Cybernet
The federal government developed ENERGY STAR to encourage consumers and businesses to be more energy-efficient and meet green initiatives, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Contact an expert at Cybernet if your business is looking for certified, energy-efficient computer products and monitors. We made sure our products are Energy Star certified, meeting the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. We're sure you'll find that our products meet your energy efficiency needs without sacrificing features or performance.