United States
                        Environmental Protection
                        Agency
                                 Air and Radiation
                                 6202J
                                         EPA 430-K-94-006
                                         January 1995
                                            Purchasing  An
                          Energy Star" Computer
                                                                              EPA POLLUTION PREVENTER
  The EPA Energy Star
  Computers program
    is a partnership
    effort with the
  computer industry
    to promote the
    introduction  of
   energy-efficient
 personal computers,
    monitors, and
  printers. Reducing
 energy consumption
 can help to combat
 smog, acid rain, and
 global warming by

 reducing emissions

  from electricity
generation. By using
   more energy-
efficient  equipment
   in our homes,
    offices, and
  factories, we can
  both improve the
  environment and
    save  money.
    What is  Energy Star
         Equipment?
                  actively in use—and 30 to 40 percent
                  are left running at night and on week-
                  ends. By the year 2000, Energy Star
                  equipment could save enough electric-
                  ity to power Vermont, New Hampshire,
                  and Maine for a year, cut electricity bills
                  by $2 billion, and reduce CO, pollution
                  equal to the emissions from 5 million
                  automobiles.
                                           Real Savings
  "Energy Stars" are energy-efficient
  computers, monitors, and printers
  that save energy by powering down
  and going to "sleep" when not being
  used. An Energy Star computer has all
 the performance features of a regular
 computer—it simply has the addi-
 tional ability to "power-down." These
 energy-efficient machines save money   Energy Star computers are available at
 on electricity bills and reduce pollu-    no additional cost, and a single Energy
 tion, .mproving your bottom line and   Star computer and monitor can save
    earth s environment.              anywhere from $7 to $52 per year in
 EPA has signed partnership agree-      electricity bills. If you notice computers
 ments with industry-leading manufac-   a«d Printers left on when leaving the
 turers who sell more than 75 percent     Ce at n'?ht and on weekends, your
 of all desktop computers and 90        savm§s wi" be toward the hi§her end of
 percent of all laser printers sold in the
 United States. These companies have    If you add an Energy Star printer to your
 introduced more than 2,000 desktop   system, you can increase your savings
 computers, monitors, and printers     by an additional $35  per year.
                       i
that have earned the right to bear the
EPA Energy StarSM logo, shown at the
top of the page.

Computer equipment is the fastest
growing electric load in the business
   lit           i
                 For an office environment where one-
                 third of the computers are left on all the
                 time, purchasing 100 Energy Star PCs
                 and monitors instead of non-efficient
                 equipment could save you $2,400 per
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world, and energy use by computers    year. In addition, Energy Stars generate
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could double by
the year 2000.
Ironically, much
of this energy is
wasted: re-
search shows
that most of the
time personal
computers are
on they are not
 100 New Computers and Monitors
Non-Energy Star           Energy Star
                                          $0/year savings
                   $2,400/year savings
                                                      less heat, and
                                                      upgrading your
                                                      existing equip-
                                                      ment to Energy
                                                      Star as it natu-
                                                      rally turns over
                                                      can lead to
                                                      cooling reduc-
                                                      tions of up to
                                                      25 percent.
                                                                                Recycled/Recyclable
                                                                                Primed on paper thai contains
                                                                                at least 50% recycled fiber

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 PURCHASING AN ENERGY STAR  COMPUTER
               How to Find

         Energy Star Products

Consumers can easily recognize the new, more effi-
cient systems because they will be identified by the
EPA Energy StarSM logo. Since there are now more than
2,000 products available from all major manufactur-
ers, EPA is encouraging companies and organizations
to specify Energy Star compliance in all future pur-
chases of computer equipment.

•   If you are a business, ask your MIS or procurement
   official about purchasing Energy Star equipment,
   and look for the Energy StarSM logo in advertise-
   ments and on specification sheets.

•   If you work in the Federal Government, the Gen-
   eral Services Administration has issued guidelines
   on the acquisition of Energy Star computers. Call
   (202) 519-4860 for a copy.

•   If you need a computer for home, look for the
   Energy StarSM logo on display models in local retail
   stores—if you do  not see it, ask for it.

To help, EPA offers a database of available products
which is updated monthly. Just call or write EPA to
receive a copy.

            User Advantages

Besides the cost savings, Energy Star equipment offers
users several key advantages.

•   Energy Star PCs can be quieter since some have
   no fans.

•   Sleeping  Energy Star monitors emit fewer electro-
   magnetic fields (EMF) since they are not display-
   ing any visual image when "asleep."

•   Energy Star monitors can also increase file secu-
   rity since the "sleeping" screen is dark.

•   All Energy Star equipment produces less heat, and
   thus contributes to a cooler and more comfort-
   able workspace.

•   Energy Star PCs tend to be a less intrusive desk-
   top item  since they are usually smaller than tradi-
   tional PCs.
         Increased  Reliability

In addition, Energy Star equipment may actually last
longer than conventional products because it will most
likely spend a large portion of time in a low-power
sleep mode. Non-Energy Star computer equipment
left on at night and over weekends may last only 2 to
3 years, but Energy Star computers "sleeping" during
the day and turned off at night could last almost 10
times as long (see graph).
        (2 years)
                             (Source: Dataquest, 1993)
                                        (22 years)

                                     ffi
By spending time "sleeping," Energy Star equipment can reduce
wear and tear, leading to extended life and increased reliability.
           Which Energy Star

             Is Right for Me?

Committing to an "Energy Star purchasing strategy" for
your organization is the first crucial step. The second
step is figuring out which Energy Star products to buy.
It is important to realize that not all Energy Star com-
puters are the same, and your choice will depend on
your needs  and preferences.

If you operate on a Local Area Network (LAN), make
sure that your Energy Star computer is compatible
with that network system. Most Energy Stars are now
being network tested, but specify your particular
environment—whether its Novell Netware, Banyan
Vines, Windows NT,  Lan Manager, or others, to ensure
that it is compatible (see sample procurement lan-
guage on page 4).

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                                                      PURCHASING AN  ENERGY  STAR COMPUTER
You also may want to specify certain "user-friendly"
features, such as an Energy Star or power manage-
ment "icon", which is easily accessible and gives the
user a quick and simple way to change the "sleep"
settings. Some users may want to set their computer to
go to sleep after 15 minutes of inactivity, while others
may choose 30 minutes. Having a user friendly power
management feature to
customize an Energy Star
computer to your own
schedule contributes to
productivity and increases
energy savings.
    What  If No

  Energy  Star Is

    Available?

If you need an expert
computer system or an
extremely high speed
printer, there might not
  t be an Energy Star
  lodel available. Because
high-end equipment was
designed to give you
maximum performance, it
also tends to use more
power. Until the design-
ers of this higher end
equipment develop
Energy Star models, you
will have to buy non-
                                    President  Clinton's
                                      Executive Order

                           In April 1993, President Clinton signed Executive
                           Order 12845 requiring all federal agencies to pur-
                           chase Energy Star computers, monitors, and printers
                           where commercially available. This order, which
                           took effect on October 18, 1993, reads in part:
                                 Agencies shall specify that microcom-
                                 puters, including personal computers,
                                 monitors, and printers, acquired by the
                                 agency, shall meet the EPA Energy Star
                                 specifications. This feature shall be
                                 activated when the equipment is
                                 delivered to the customer and shall be
                                 capable of entering and recovering from
                                 the low-power state unless the equip-
                                 ment meets Energy Star efficiency levels
                                 at all times.
         Should  I  Still Turn My

       Energy Star  Off at Night?

Yes. Power-managed Energy Stars will go to sleep by
themselves, but remember that the sleep mode does
not mean "off." Sleeping Energy Stars use less power
                         than when fully activated,
                         but they still draw some
                         power when in the sleep
                         mode. To save additional
                         energy and increase the
                         lifetime of the equipment,
                         be sure to turn your
                         system completely off at
                         the end of each  day. It is a
                         common myth that turning
                         computer equipment off
                         and on is bad for it; in
                         fact, the exact opposite is
                         true. Turning off your
                         computer at night may
                         actually increase its life
                         because it will reduce
                         susceptibility to heat and
                         mechanical stress, the two
                         leading causes of personal
                         computer failure. The
                         recommended approach:
                         set your Energy Star to
                         sleep when you are away
                         during the day, and turn off
                         the system when you leave
                         at night.
Energy Star. The goal of
the Energy Star program is to save energy with no
sacrifice in performance or cost. If you need a high-
end system to do your job, and there is not an Energy
Star available, then buy what you need.

However, if you are considering the purchase of a
computer with  certain specifications and have the
choice between an Energy Star and a non-Energy Star
machine, buy the Energy Star.  If both machines have
the exact same performance and are similar in cost,
purchasing the Energy Star system will give you the
   itional benefits of saving on your electric bill and
   ping to  prevent pollution.
^Bf
           What Can I Do for

       My  Existing Equipment?

Again, turning off your existing equipment at night is
the easiest and most cost-effective strategy for reduc-
ing the energy consumption of non-Energy Star equip-
ment. However, if you are unable to turn off existing
equipment or wish to make additional savings, con-
sider retrofitting your equipment with an Energy Star-
compliant controlling device. These devices are fairly
easy to install and can completely shut off the power
to your PC, monitor, or printer after a period of
inactivity or at a specified time of the day.

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  PURCHASING AN  ENERGY STAR  COMPUTER
       Energy Star
       Compliant
       Shipped
       Activated
                    What to Specify When Ordering

                           Energy Star Equipment

             "Provide computer products that meet the EPA Energy Star requirements for energy
             efficiency in the requested configuration." This means that PCs, monitors, and printers
             shall be able to enter and recover from a low-power standby mode when not in use. For
             PCs and monitors, the low-power mode is defined as 30 watts or less (30 watts for the  PC
             and 30 watts for the monitor). For printers with speeds of less than 15 pages per minute,
             the requirement is 30 watts; and for printers with speeds of 15 or more pages per minute,
             the requirement is 45 watts. All high-end color printers must not exceed 45 watts in low-
             power mode.

             "Ship all products with the Energy Star low-power feature activated or enabled." This
             eliminates the need tor users to configure the power management feature after delivery
             and helps to ensure that the energy-saving feature is used.

Network     "If equipment will be used on a local area network, the PC must be fully compatible
Compatibility with the specified network environment; PCs resting in a low-power state should not
             be disconnected from the network." Many manufacturers are now testing their Energy
             Star equipment on networks and can report, for example, that they are compatible on
             Novell Netware, Banyan Vines, Windows NT, Lan Manager, and other network systems.

Monitor      "Ensure monitors are capable of entering a low-power mode when connected to the
Control      accompanying PC." Most monitors cannot power down  by themselves, and must rely on^
             some external input to  trigger their low-power state. This is typically accomplished via one
             of the following: (1) VESA Display Power Management Signalling (DPMS), a signalling
             protocol that allows a PC equipped with DPMS to control a DPMS compatible monitor
             (both  the computer and monitor must be  DPMS compatible), (2) the actual shut off of
             power to the monitor via a special plug from the PC (this does not require an Energy Star
             monitor), or (3) the use of a  proprietary software utility shipped with the monitor. Organi-
             zations may wish to specify one approach or the other. DPMS compatible PCs and moni-
             tors will provide seamless power management and  immediate recovery from the low-
             power state, but only when used with each other. PCs that include the power switch
             approach can shut off power to any monitor, not just an  Energy Star monitor.

Software     System must be able to run commercial off-the-shelf software both before and after
Compatibility recovery from a low-power state, including retention of files opened before the power
             management feature was activated.
What Products are Available?

More than 2,000 products are now available that meet
the Energy Star guidelines.

To receive an abbreviated list of qualified products, call
the Energy Star fax-back line. Dial 202 233-9659 and
enter #4601 for PCs, #4603 for monitors, and #4602
for printers.

To receive the detailed list of qualified products by mail,
call the Energy Star hotline at 202 775-6650.
                                      To fax yourself general program informa-
                                      tion, call the Energy Star fax-back line at
                                      202 233-9659, or call or write us:
                                             Energy Star Computers
                                                U.S.EPA(6202J)
                                              Washington, DC 20460
                                                 202 775-6650
                                                Fax 202 233-9578
                                                                      EPA  POLLUTION PREVENTER

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