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Incorporating ENERGY STAR qualified products into American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-funded
school projects can help maximize energy savings and environmental benefits.

¦	ENERGY STAR offers clearly defined energy performance specifications for more than 60 product categories.
Recognized by more than 75 percent of the population, ENERGY STAR can be used to easily communicate
energy efficiency expectations among project teams and suppliers.

¦	Avast network of ENERGY STAR partners including manufacturers and suppliers can be leveraged to help move
projects forward. Engaging these partners helps reinforce that energy efficiency is an important and integral
product feature and can help build a green workforce forthe long term.

This project brief focuses on opportunities for incorporating ENERGY STAR products in school new construction and
major renovation projects. Resources for developing full-scale energy efficiency programs in response to ARRA are
available at epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/recovery.html.

ENERGY STAR PRODUCTS FOR SCHOOLS

The nation's K-12 school districts spend more than $6 billion annually on energy—more than is spent on computers
and textbooks combined. As much as 30 percent of a district's total energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily1.

Ensuring that ENERGY STAR qualified products are planned for and properly used in new construction and major
renovation projects is an important part of achieving energy performance in schools2. Some of the best opportunities
for savings can be found in cafeterias, work stations and data centers. ENERGY STAR labeled products of greatest
relevance include:

¦	ENERGY STAR Qualified Commercial Food Service Equipment

¦	ENERGY STAR Qualified Vending Machines

¦	ENERGY STAR Qualified Computers and Monitors

¦	ENERG Y STAR Qualified Servers

Schools spend more on energy than any other expense

except personnel.

1	Source: US EPA ENERGY STAR Program, energystar.gov/ia/business/challenge/learn_more/Schools.pdf.

2	EPA's recommended approach to whole building energy performance improvement can be found at energystar.gov/schools


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PROCURING ENERGY STAR PRODUCTS
AND RELATED SERVICES

The following broad steps are useful to consider when
procuring ENERGY STAR products and related services.
More detailed information on product benefits, selection
considerations, and key market actors involved in sales
and installation are provided by product category in
subsequentsections.

Procurement. Specify ENERGY STAR in the
procurement language: "[Target product] must be
ENERGY STAR qualified as of [insert date]." Samples
of more detailed procurement language, as well as
key product criteria and qualifying product lists by
product category can be found at energystar.gov/
purchasing. Make sure there are no "or equal"
clauses that would open the door for a contractor
to install a non-ENERGY STAR product. Also, it is
advisable to checkfor applicable building codes and
state product efficiency standards in your area.

Financial incentives. Contactyour local utility or
energy efficiency program sponsor to see if they offer
related financial incentives. Visit energystar.gov/
DIME for more information on utility-funded energy
efficiency programs. When available, rebates are
typically offered in the following ranges:

Change the World, Start with
ENERGY STAR

Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR
is a national campaign that encourages all
Americans to pledge to take small, individual
steps to reduce their energy consumption and
related greenhouse gas emissions. Schools
can sign up to be pledge drivers to encourage
individuals to take the ENERGY STAR pledge.
The pledge includes everyday actions, such
as changing a light to one that has earned the
ENERGY STAR label, enabling computers to
power down when not in use, and properly
programming thermostats.

The campaign can make students and
employees more aware of energy use, and
motivate them to take actions that not only
save energy at school but also at home and
throughoutthe community.

EPA provides a wide array of support for the
campaign including online tools, graphics, and
Public Relations resources. Visit energystar.
gov/nationalcampaigns and click on "Change
the World, Start with ENERGY STAR" to learn
more aboutsupportfor campaign participants
and how to enroll in the campaign.

¦	Commercial Food Service Equipment- Rebates
vary widely depending on the equipment cost
and potential for energy savings. As of May
2009, incentives range from $50-$1,000. A

searchable tool for commercial food service incentives is available at energystar.gov/CFSrebate_locator.

¦	Servers - Some utilities offer incentives for decommissioning servers or custom incentives for server
virtualization and decommissioning. PG&E, for example, offers a per-unit incentive of $150 to $300 to
remove servers from service with total incentives capped at 50 percent of project cost3.

¦	Other ENERGY STAR qualified products may be supported through custom incentives. Check with your
local utility to learn about custom incentive programs for commercial customers.

Recycling. Properly recycle old equipment to ensure that inefficient products don't end up in the landfill or
get installed elsewhere. Utilities and municipal government agencies can be a good source of information on
recycling and proper disposal of used equipment. Links to recycling/remanufacturing options are available at
epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm#local. The following non governmental source may
also be useful earth911.com.

3 Source: PG&E "High Tech Energy Efficiency Incentives" available at pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/
incentivesbyindustry/hightech/hteeincentives.shtml


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Education. Provide education on the benefits and proper use of ENERGY STAR products. In particular:

¦	Enable the energy efficiency setting on computers and monitors in order to realize full energy savings
potential. State and local governments can participate in the Low Carbon IT Campaign, which is a
nationwide effort to assist and recognize organizations for reducing IT-related energy consumption and
related pollution. For more information on the Campaign, visit energystar.gov/lowcarbonit. More details are
provided in the "ENERGYSTAR Qualified Computers and Monitors"section below

¦	Involve employees and students in efforts to save energy and protect the environment by participating in
the Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign. See text box on page 2 for details.

¦	Help students understand the environmental benefits of school improvements by incorporating energy
efficiency education in the classroom. Resources are available at energystar.gov/kids.

ESTIMATING PROJECT SAVINGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

While the individual benefits of ENERGY STAR products vary by product category, savings can really add up. For
example, for every 20 vending machines replaced with models that meet the ENERGY STAR specification, a state or
local government can save more than $3,000 annually and $44,000 over the life of the machines. That is equivalent to
keeping more than 655,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere4.

To estimate savings from installing ENERGY STAR products, take advantage of calculators available at energystar.
gov/purchasingfor most product categories. The calculators allow users to customize utility rates and input number
of products and other relevant parameters to generate estimates of lifecycle energy and cost savings, simple
payback, and air pollution reduction benefits.

The following chart provides national average estimates of energy and dollar savings on a per product basis.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Product

Annual Energy Savings per Product

Annual Dollar Savings per Product

Commercial Food Service Equipment

1,100-6,600 kWh/year and/or 15-50
MBtu/yeara

$110-975/yea r

Vending Machines

1,500 kWh/year

$150/yea r

Computers and Monitors

30-190 kWh/yearb

$3-20/year

Servers

800 kWh/yrc

$80/year

Source: ENERGY STAR Products Factoid Work Book. April 2009 (unless otherwise noted)

a NOTE: Commercial Food Service equipment includes commercial grade refrigerators,freezers, hotfood holding cabinets,
fryers, steamers, ice machines, griddles, ovens, and dishwashers. The savings range reflects the large variance in base
energy use of these different pieces of equipment. KWh savings are logged from equipment that is either solely operated
using electricity, or a combination of gas and electric. MBtu savings reflect gas used in the operation of gas fryers, ovens,
steamers, dishwashers, and griddles. For additional savings information on griddles and ovens see, the EPA News Release,
"EPA Announces new ENERGY STAR specifications for Energy Efficient Commercial Griddles and Ovens," May 2009.

b NOTE: The range presented is based on a weighted average of turn-off rates and represents savings from purchasing a
desktop computer and monitor depending on whether power management is enables. Increased savings can be realized if not
already enabling power management orturning off computers at night.

c Source: Savings spreadsheetfor EPA News Release, "EPA Announces ENERGY STAR Label for Computer Servers," May
18, 2009

4 Source: 2009 ENERGY STAR Products Factoid Workbook.

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ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED COMMERCIAL FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT

ENERGY STAR qualified Commercial Food Service (CFS) equipment uses less energy to store, cook, and keep food
hot saving money without sacrificing equipment performance. Outfitting an entire kitchen with a suite of ENERGY
STAR qualified CFS equipment could save operators about 300 MBtu/year, or more than $3,100/year5.

Selection considerations: Currently, eight categories of CFS equipment are eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR label:
fryers, steam cookers, hot food holding cabinets, refrigerators/freezers, dishwashers, ice machines, convection
ovens, and griddles. Cafeterias will at least use fryers, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, griddles, and ice
machines. Smaller kitchens, possibly outside the main cafeteria, might only require a refrigerator, freezer, hot food
holding cabinet and oven. Qualified product lists are available on each of the specific product pages at energystar.
gov/cfs.

It is best to address the energy efficiency of the kitchen as a whole; visit fishnick.com/design/eekior suggestions.
It is important to note that in some states building codes specify that CFS equipment must be ENERGY STAR (e.g.,
California Title 24). Check the building code specification in your state to help guide the procurement process more
efficiently.

Working with key CFS market actors: Engaging the following market actors as soon as possible can help ensure
projects run smoothly.

Dealers: Dealers primarily sell to individual organizations and restaurants, but will often sell equipment to
public facilities and schools. Before committing to a dealer, check that they carry and can deliver ENERGY STAR
CFS qualified equipment within your projecttimeframe.

Manufacturers and Reps: CFS equipment manufacturers generally sell through product reps, although
manufacturers may also sell directly to large end users like school districts. To ensure ENERGY STAR
equipment is purchased, it is best to check with local procurement officers to find out if they buy equipment
through a manufacturer's rep and that they sell ENERGY STAR qualified equipment. Visit energystar.gov/
partnersearch and select "Product Manufacturer" to identify ENERGY STAR partners by product category.

Design Consultants: Design consultants assist in the planning and design of new or renovated commercial
kitchens. Design consultants usually design what their customers askfor, so it is important to request energy-
efficient designs as soon as the design process is initiated. Once the design is finalized and construction
begins, it is very difficult to change the equipment out for ENERGY STAR versions.

ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED VENDING MACHINES

ENERGY STAR qualified new and rebuilt refrigerated beverage vending machines can save building and business
owners more than 1,500 kWh/year per unit, or $200 annually on utility bills if the onboard low power modes are
activated6. ENERGY STAR qualified vending machines incorporate high efficiency components such as compressors,
fan motors, and lighting systems and use close to 50 percent less energy than conventional models7.

Selection considerations: Most facilities have a multi-year contract with an operator service. Encouraging facility
operators to request ENERGY STAR vending machines in their next request for proposals (RFP) will help ensure the
energy savings and also promote the need for energy-efficient machines to the operator.

Brand new ENERGY STAR qualified vending machines are not the only option - refurbishing extends machine life
and avoids the cost of safe disposal of inefficient machines. If a facility is in the middle of a vending contract, an
operator could refurbish their current fleet of vending machines to meet ENERGY STAR performance specifications.

5	Source: 2009 ENERGY STAR Products Factoid Workbook.

6	Source: 2009 ENERGY STAR Products Factoid Workbook.

7	Source: 2009 ENERGY STAR Products Factoid Workbook.

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Working with vending machine market actors: Below are some specific tips on how to work with the various
markets actors for vending machines.

Operating service companies: Facilities work through operating companies when ordering vending machines.
Generally the operator owns the vending machines, so it is important to find an operator that owns ENERGY
STAR qualified units or is willing to refurbish existing machines to meet ENERGY STAR specifications.

National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA): NAMA is the national trade association for the
food and refreshment vending industries. NAMA can help facilities find a vending service operator in their
area through vending.org/about/contact2.php. NAMA can also help locate operators that carry ENERGY STAR
models.

ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED COMPUTERS
AND MONITORS

For every 100 computers a school replaces with
computers that meet the new ENERGY STAR
specification, it can save more than $6,500 annually
(95,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions) if power
management features are enabled and computers are
turned off at night8.

ENERGY STAR qualified computer monitors, desktop
and notebook (laptop) computers, integrated computer
systems, desktop-derived servers and workstations
are designed to save energy in three distinct operating
modes: standby, active, and sleep modes, ensuring
energy savings when computers are performing a range
of tasks or idle.

Selection and operational considerations: For longer
lead projects, a new ENERGY STAR specification for
monitors will become effective October 30,2009, and a
new specification for ENERGY STAR professional displays
will be effective January 1,2010. On average, ENERGY
STAR qualified products covered under these new
specification will be 20 percent more energy efficient
than conventional options9.

Ensuring monitors and computers go into a low-power
"sleep mode" after a period of inactivity can save a
significant amount of energy and money. There are many
ways to activate sleep features across entire networks of
computers. EPA recommends setting computers to enter
standby after 30-60 minutes of inactivity; monitors should
enter sleep mode after 5-20 minutes of inactivity.

ENERGY STAR Low Carbon IT
Campaign

After selecting the appropriate ENERGY STAR
qualified computers and monitors, joining the
ENERGY STAR Low Carbon IT Campaign can
help schools save even more energy, and
receive recognition for their efforts. The Low
Carbon IT Campaign is a nationwide effort to
assist and recognize organizations for reducing
the energy consumed by their computers
and monitors. For more information on the
Campaign, visit energystar.gov/lowcarbonit.

Participants in the Low Carbon IT Campaign
benefitfrom:

¦	Free technical expertise

¦	An estimate of the building's energy and
carbon savings

¦	A certificate of recognition from EPA

¦	National recognition from EPA for top
performers

¦	Template materials for publicizing efforts

(energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_
power_mgt_low_carbon_participants_toolkit)

To join the Low Carbon IT Campaign, a school
or government agency pledges to activate
power management features on their monitors
and computers to save energy. An online
pledge form located at energystar.gov/index.
cfm?fuseaction=lowcarbon.showPledge is
available for enrollment and can help estimate
related energy savings and environmental
benefits.

8	Source: 2009 ENERGY STAR Products Factoid Workbook.

9	Source: EPA News Release, "EPA Issues New Requirements for ENERGY STAR Computer Monitors, Picture Frames," March
30, 2009

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Tools for activating these features and for educating employees about the benefits of maintaining these settings are
available at energystar.gov/powermanagement. Participating in the ENERGY STAR Low Carbon IT campaign (see
text box on previous page) can be a powerful way to achieve power management goals and gain recognition for
your project.

Working with key market actors: Managing energy efficiency in IT applications requires comprehensive energy
management, communication, and team building across IT, facilities management, and procurement officials.
Advance coordination with the following market actors helps to ensure thatthe most appropriate ENERGY STAR
computers and monitors are selected.

IT management: Since IT management teams are responsible for computer operation and maintenance
they understand the needs of the facility and can help make purchasing decisions and ensure equipmentis
configured properly during installation. IT managers can perform the following important functions:

¦	Adjust the power management setting so that it is suitable to the work environment. Managers can refer
to the owners' manual, call the manufacturer's help line, or visit energystar.gov/lowcarbonitto learn about
public domain/operating system solutions, as well as commercially available software.

¦	If the building operates on a local area network (LAN), ensure thatthe power managementfeatures on the
computers are compatible with the existing network system.

Procurement management: Establishing formal guidelines to institutionalize ENERGY STAR as a purchasing
requirement can ensure energy efficiency requirements are maintained over the long term. Sample
procurement language, key product criteria and qualifying product lists by product category can be found at
energystar.gov/purchasing.

¦	Vendors: When vendors provide new and repaired computers, monitors, and integrated computer-monitor
systems that are ENERGY STAR qualified, they can also add a valuable service by ensuring thatthe products
are configured properly for automatic energy-saving features.

ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED SERVERS

Computer servers are computers that provide services and manage network resources for client devices
(e.g., desktop computers, notebook computers and wireless devices.). Computer servers are typically used in
datacenters and office environments. If all servers sold in the United States met the ENERGY STAR specification,
energy cost savings would grow to $800 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those
from over one million vehicles10.

On average, ENERGY STAR computer servers are about 30 percent more efficient than standard servers and offer
the following features and benefits11:

¦	Efficient power supplies that generate less waste heat, thereby reducing the need for excess air conditioning in
the facilities where they are housed.

¦	Improved power quality that provides building-wide efficiency benefits.

¦	Capabilities to measure real time power use, processor utilization, and air temperature, which improves
manageability and lowers total cost of ownership.

¦	Advanced power managementfeatures to save energy across various operating states.

¦	A Power and Performance Data Sheet with standardized information on energy performance, features, and
other capabilities.

Depending on size, government agencies or school districts may have a dedicated datacenter for centrally locating
mission-critical IT equipment including server and data storage equipment, or may use an off site co-location center
to house their IT equipment. Within individual buildings, it is also common to have servers—often housed in server
closets—for managing internal networks and for connecting to any centralized information management systems.

1(1 Source: EPA News Release, "EPA Announces ENERGY STAR Label for Computer Servers," May 18, 2009
11 Source: EPA News Release, "EPA Announces ENERGY STAR Label for Computer Servers," May 18, 2009

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Selection and operational considerations: Consider the following when purchasing and installing servers.

¦	Consider replacing servers older than three years with new ENERGY STAR servers; enable power management
features in servers to reduce power consumption during periods of non-use.

¦	Determine computing capacity needs before purchasing. Whether procuring servers for a new facility or
replacing older servers, it is important to match servers to intended work load. Atypical server sold today
has several times the computing capacity of a server sold just three years ago. Through smart deployment of
ENERGY STAR servers, facilities may be able to service the same workload with fewer servers.

¦	Develop a strategy for virtualizing servers. Virtualization is a method for enabling a single server to perform
the work of many. For example, a server can be physically portioned into multiple "virtual servers" that run
independently and can independently be rebooted12. It is not uncommon for a virtualized server to be able to
displace the need for 10 or more servers, offering significant additional energy savings13.

¦	Effectively manage air flow in spaces where multiple servers are installed. For example, avoid exhausting
hot air into the cool air intake of another server. Other best practices for setting up an energy-efficient
server closet or data center are available from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at hightech.lbl.gov/
datacenters-bpg.html.

¦	Eliminate and recycle servers that are on but not running necessary applications. Up to 30 percent of the
servers deployed today are "comatose servers"—servers that remain on despite not running any necessary
applications.14 When disposing older servers, check to see if there are recycling or remanufacturing options in
your area. For a partial listing visit epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm#local.

While ENERGY STAR servers offer substantial standalone benefits, there is significant opportunity to reduce energy
use by strategically managing IT equipment, datacenters and facilities as an integrated system. To learn more about
government-sponsored efforts and emerging best practices visit energystar.gov/datacenters.

Working with key market actors: Managing energy efficiency in IT applications requires comprehensive energy
management, communication, and team building across IT, facilities management, and procurement officials.
Advanced coordination with the following market actors can help ensure servers are properly specified and
installed.

Office equipment manufacturers and value added resellers (VARs): Working closely with manufacturers and
VARs will help make sure the most efficient equipment is purchased and helps implement the best practices
during deployment to maximize energy savings. Server deployment, including the physical installation and
software configuration of the server, is critical to the overall efficiency of the system and presents numerous
opportunities for additional savings. For example, additional savings can be achieved through software (e.g.,
advanced power management and virtualization), or through effectively managing cooling and airflow (e.g.,
avoid exhausting hot air into the cool air intake of another server).

IT management: IT management teams are responsible for keeping track of server operation and
maintenance. They must understand the data needs of the organization supported by the data center and make
recommendations on configurations, newserver purchases, or levels of redundancy to maintain effective data
storage and security. IT equipment generates significant heat and thus requires cooling in order to maintain
temperature equilibrium and avoid hardware failure.

Facilities management: Facilities management teams are typically in charge of managing the heating, cooling,
ventilation, and energy use of buildings and/or multi-building organizations. This group is responsible for
managing the environmental conditions under which IT equipment is active and can provide insight on the best
placement of ventilation and cooling equipment to efficiently maintain the correct temperature for IT equipment.

12	Source: comandsolutions.com/resources/glossary.html

13	Source: Based on estimates from the following sources: David Rogers, BC Hydro Power Smart Forum. November 17, 2008
wwel2.bchydro.com/awards/wp-content/uploads/2008/ll/Server%20Virtualization.pdf and Server Virtualization Low Hanging
Fruit and Sour Grapes. Source URL (retrieved on 2009-05-11 11:50): nemertes.com/articies/server_virtualization_low_hanging_
fruit_and_sour_grapes

14	Source: Brill, Kenneth G., Uptime Institute, Data Center Dirty Secrets. Forbes.com, June 30, 2008.

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ENERGY STAR AND OTHER RESOURCES:

Resource

Web or Info Link

How to Use

Manufacturer List

energystar.gov/partnersearch

Provides a searchable list of ENERGY STAR
manufacturing partners by product category.

Change the World, Start
with ENERGY STAR

energystar.gov/changetheworld

energystar.gov/index.
cfm?fuseaction=join_change_the_
world.showSuccess

Provides information and tools for participating in the
national Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR
campaign.

Energy Efficiency
Curriculum

energystar.gov/kids

Provides interactive web tools for students to learn
about energy efficiency and links to lesson plans for
teachers and parents.

Low Carbon IT Campaign

energystar.gov/lowcarbonit

Provides tools for enabling power management features
in computers and monitors and information on howto get
involved in the national Low Carbon IT Campaign.

ENERGY STAR Commercial
Food Service

energystar.gov/cfs

Provides information on commercial food service
product features and benefits.

ENERGY STAR Vending
Machines

energystar.gov/vending

Provides information on vending machine features and
benefits.

Energy Efficiency Programs
and Incentives (DIME)

energystar.gov/dime

Provides a searchable database of utility-funded energy
efficiency programs and related financial incentives.

Procurement Language

energystar.gov/purchasing

Provides tools to help evaluate, identify, and procure
ENERGY STAR qualified products.

Data Centers

energystar.gov/datacenters

Provides information on datacenter energy use and
emerging best practices for improving energy efficiency.

Schools

energystar.gov/schools

Provides information on best practice approaches
for measuring, improving, and monitoring building
performance in schools.

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