Energy Star Ratings

13 Oct 2023

Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that identifies electronics and appliances that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.

With climate change and environmental sustainability becoming increasingly important, many businesses are looking for ways to "go green" and reduce their carbon footprint. One area where companies can make an impact is by purchasing energy-efficient electronics certified by Energy Star.

Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that identifies electronics and appliances that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.

The blue Energy Star logo makes it easy to choose products that will save energy and money while protecting the climate. This guide will examine the benefits of Energy Star-certified electronics and provide tips for sustainable businesses looking to make eco-friendly IT purchases.

Why Choose Energy Star-Rated Electronics?

There are several compelling reasons for businesses to seek out Energy Star-certified options when replacing and purchasing new electronics:

Save on energy expenses — Energy Star electronics are at least 20-30 percent more efficient than non-Energy Star versions. This means significant money in the bank in terms of energy costs!
Efficient electronics enable businesses to reduce their carbon footprints. This supports corporate sustainability goals.
Incentives and rebates – Many utility companies offer rebates and financial rewards for buying appliances or home devices with the ENERGY STAR labels and therefore you get to save money at first sight when buying such items.
Improved performance – To meet Energy Star standards, electronics have to meet tough performance guidelines. The performance must be at least comparable (if not superior) to benchmark solutions.
Long-term savings —the money is saved long after the initial investment in Energy Star-certified electronics and the savings continue to be realized year after year.

What Rated Electronics Are There?

Office and IT products in numerous categories can be identified with the Energy Star mark. Some of the major types of electronics rated include:

Computing Equipment — including desktops, laptops, workstations, thin clients, and small-scale servers— can all earn the ENERGY STAR. Monitors, keyboards, and printers are included among others!
Data center servers — Enterprise-level servers used in data centers and server rooms can qualify for the ENERGY STAR label for higher energy efficiency. This extends from server hardware to uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
Televisions & Displays — Energy Star-rated TV monitors and digital signage for conference rooms, lobbies, and more. This makes sure these appliances use 25-30% less electricity compared to regular appliances.
Smart network gear — Routers, switches, access points, and modems used for creating office networks and connecting devices can also get Energy Star ratings. This can mean big power savings on the IT infrastructure.
Phones & AV equipment — i.e., IP phones, speaker sets, sound bars, headphones, and mics, which can be found in offices can also bear the Energy Star energy efficient badge.

Buying Energy-Star-certified electronics.

Here are some tips for businesses to incorporate Energy Star-certified electronics and IT products into their procurement processes:

Look for ratings — request that vendors tell you which products are Energy Star-rated so they can figure into your decision-making.
Prefer Energy Star-certified items - When you have options, choose items with the Energy Star label.
Shoot for 80 PLUS-certified power supplies — For desktop computers, server setups, and other electrical loads, consider power supplies 80 PLUS or higher, meaning at least 80% efficiency.
Do not assume — check the certification—some suppliers falsely claim that devices have an “Energy Star rating” without getting an official certificate. Check verified reviews before buying tech specs.
Utilize rebates & and tax credits — Look up the possible rebates and tax credits on Energy Star electronics in your area before purchasing. This can offset upfront costs.
Think in terms of the complete TCO picture – include energy efficiency in there too. Long-term savings might justify the higher initial investment in certified devices.

The Importance for Sustainable Businesses

Energy Star electronics play an important role in sustainable business operations:

It shows your commitment to sustainability — buying certified electronics tells customers and stakeholders that you’re serious about sustainability.
Contributes directly towards achieving energy savings targets – reductions in energy consumption will result in meeting the goal of decreasing CO2 emissions by 25%, over five years.
Supports green building certifications — Several LEED (LEED) systems offer points for Energy Star appliances/devices. Certified offices.
Saves you in the long run — “The savings of Energy Star products pay for a lot more than just their purchase price,” in terms of sustainability efforts. These are all good, greenish things to have money in.
Promotes CSR — Companies that buy energy-efficient products are responsible corporations doing right by the environment.

Criteria and Key Considerations

For a product to receive an Energy Star, the EPA dictates specific regulations that manufacturers must abide by. Below are some of the key considerations for popular office electronics:

Computers and Servers

Below 55W for Desktop Power under Idle and below 25W for Laptop Power under Idle.
Super-efficient power supplies and motherboards.
Low power modes: aggressive sleep states when idle.
Tight power-on standby restrictions.

Displays and Signage

Sleep mode on monitor/display under 0.5 Watts.
Minimum brightness capacity of 150 nits (cd/m2).
Power management features to dim the screen when not used.

Networking Equipment

Under 5 watts on standby for compact network equipment.
Power supply and internal component efficiency.
Ability to enter sleep mode after periods of inactivity.