Your Computer Can Be Green If It Meets New Spec

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that the requirements for computers to achieve an "Energy Star" rating will increase next year.

Under the new specifications, only the most energy-efficient computer related equipment will earn the Energy Star label, representing the top of their class.

The new requirements include improved efficiency across all modes of a computer's operation, and require use of highly efficient internal and external power supplies. The new specifications go into effect on July 20, 2007.

If every computer purchased by businesses meets the new Energy Star requirements in effect next year, businesses will save $1.2 billion over the lifetime of their new computers, equal to lighting 730 million square feet of U.S. commercial building space each year.

Government agencies buying Energy Star will also garner big savings. If the government sector buys only computers that meet the new Energy Star requirements, this sector will save nearly 1.4 billion kWh and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 billion pounds each year.

On average, Energy Star qualifying computer equipment will be 65 percent more efficient than conventional models.

Computers were the first product to qualify for EPA's Energy Star in 1992.

posted by Consumer Help Web Editorial Team at 9:50 PM |