United States Environmental Protection Agency
Air and Radiation
6202J
EPA 430-F-93-049
December 1993
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes energy efficiency because electricity generation contributes to air pollution, including 35 percent of all U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide. It also accounts for 75 percent and 38 percent of all U.S. emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, respectively. By using more energy-efficient equipment in our homes, offices, and factories, we can reduce this pollution--while saving money!
Computers are the fastest-growing electricity load in the business world. They account for 5 percent of commercial electricity consumption--and if action is not taken, this could rise to 10 percent by the year 2000. Ironically, much of this electricity is wasted: research shows that most of the time personal computers are on, they are not actively in use--and 30-40 percent are left running at night and on weekends.
EPA has signed partnership agreements with industry-leading manufacturers, who sell 70 percent of all desktop computers and 90 percent of all laser printers sold in the United States. These companies are introducing desktop computers, monitors, or printers that can automatically power-down to save energy when they are not being used. This "sleep" feature could cut a product's annual electricity use by about one-half.
Consumers will easily recognize the new, more efficient systems because they will be identified by the EPA Energy Star (trademark) logo shown here.
Energy Star (trademark)-bearing office equipment could save enough electricity each year to power Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, cut electricity bills by $2 billion, and reduce CO2 pollution equal to the emissions from 5 million autos.
An EPA Energy Star computer can save users a great deal of money by going to sleep. And according to manufacturers, a majority of their products will have this feature within just a couple of years. This added functionality will be invisible to the user, both in terms of performance and in terms of price tag--making it noticeable only by the EPA Energy Star (trademark) logo--and, of course, the lower electricity bill.
*As compared to a typical computer, monitor, and laser printer on all day and night, assuming 235 W, 8 cents/kWh. Does not include heat gain from computer equipment.
Conventional System
On all the time
Annual Cost: $165
$0 savings
Energy Star System
On all the time
Annual Cost: $84
$81 savings
Energy Star System
Turned off at night
Annual Cost: $28
$137 savings
EVERYONE! Everyone who values high performance at a lower cost--and the extra satisfaction of owning an environmentally superior product.
The U.S. Government--the largest buyer of computer equipment in the world--will take the lead in purchasing Energy Star equipment.
President Clinton, in an Earth Day address emphasizing the link between the environment and a growing economy, released an Executive Order directing U.S. agencies to purchase only desktop computers, monitors, and printers that meet EPA Energy Star requirements for energy efficiency--provided that they are commercially available and meet the agencies' performance needs. The Executive Order took effect in October 1993 and will save taxpayers $40 million annually. In fact, EPA itself will save enough money using the new, energy-efficient products to pay for the Energy Star Computers program several times over--making it one of the most cost-effective government initiatives in history.
EPA is also encouraging public- and private-sector consumers to buy products bearing the Energy Star (trademark) logo. Many of these organizations are already part of EPA's Green Lights program, and are asking EPA for advice on other smart energy-efficiency investments.
In addition, electric utilities will purchase Energy Star (trademark)-bearing computers for their own use and will encourage companies in their service territories to do the same.
If your organization is interested in learning more about maximizing its purchasing power to help the environment, contact EPA about available Energy Star products.
For more information about Energy Star Computers, please contact:
Manager
Energy Star Computers
U.S. EPA (6202J)
Washington, DC 20460
fax: 202 775-6680
Or call: 202 775-6650
For more information by fax (available 24 hours a day), call: 202 233-9659.
EPA Seeks Only to Promote Energy Efficiency and Does Not Endorse Any Particular Company or Its Products.
Last Updated: January 16, 1996