A look at how energy efficiency helps Vermont businesses run more profitably
Dan Mellinger is an engineer and Business Energy Services Senior Project Manager and Paul Lambert is a Business Development Territory Manager, both with Efficiency Vermont.
send in a question of your own
Q: We're nearing time to replace outmoded desktop computers in our offices. Years back, I read about ENERGY STAR® computers, but things change fast when it comes to electronics, so I don't know if this is still the best way to save on electric costs. Also, are laptops more energy-efficient than desktops? What about flat-panel LCD monitors? - DB, Brattleboro, VT (Posted Aug. 29, 2008)
A:
Dan:
Yes, ENERGY STAR is still the way to go to reduce computer-energy costs. In fact, just last year ENERGY STAR improved their standards to keep up with the increasing number of hours a typical computer is used. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR label, today's computers must save energy while in use, as well as in stand-by and sleep modes. This is an improvement over the earlier ENERGY STAR computer standards, which only required energy savings in stand-by and sleep modes. Computers falling under the new standards include desktop and notebook/laptop models, integrated computer systems, desktop-derived servers and workstations.
Paul:
By using today's ENERGY STAR qualified computers, and their stand-by and sleep modes, you can save as much as $85 per computer, annually. According to www.energystar.gov, the new standards are expected to save U.S. workplaces and households more than $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next five years.
Dan:
To address your other questions: Laptops generally use less energy than desktop models. ENERGY STAR qualified laptops use about 70% less than ENERGY STAR qualified desktops. As for monitors: Flat-screen LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors use less energy than CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors. A 17-inch LCD monitor, for example, uses about 35% the energy of a 17-inch CRT monitor.
Paul:
A couple of other things to keep in mind: If you're replacing printers too, look for ENERGY STAR qualified models, which use an average of 25% less energy than non-ENERGY STAR units. They also generate less heat, so they put less strain on your air-conditioning system, thereby lowering your cooling costs. An easy way to further reduce computer-operation energy costs is to plug multiple computers and peripherals into a power strip/surge protector that you can simply switch off at the end of the work day.
Dan:
Best of luck with the transition to your next generation of office computers. I want to mention that, as a result of the ENERGY STAR standards change we discussed above, you may notice fewer available new models with the ENERGY STAR label. You can find a list of ENERGY STAR qualified computers at www.energystar.gov/ia/products/prod_lists/computers_prod_list.xls.
