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Written by Daniel
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Thursday, 08 February 2007 07:04 |
New Energy Star ratings for PCs on the way
By Tom Krazit
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: February 8, 2007, 4:00 AM PST
Standards for energy-efficient PCs are about to take a step forward for the first time in more than a decade.
The Energy Star program is set to release the first revision to the specification for PCs since 1992, which was practically the Bronze Age of the PC industry. Energy Star stickers are familiar to those who have shopped for household appliances over the last few years; it designates appliances or electronics that meet certain specifications for energy efficiency.
What's new: The Energy Star program, which measures the energy efficiency of appliances or electronics, is set to update the specification for PCs for the first time since 1992. A similar revision is due for flat-panel TVs.
Bottom line: Energy Star labels can benefit manufacturers, as well as corporations, which get tax breaks for purchasing Energy Star products and can save on power bills. The program also sheds light on the growing power bill required to juice the modern gadget-laden home.
More stories on this topic
Due to the lag in formulating a new certification, more than 90 percent of PCs currently on the market are eligible for an Energy Star sticker. But come July, a new voluntary specification will go into effect for energy-efficient PCs and game consoles that includes new recommendations for power supply efficiency and idle power consumption.
And later this year, a similar specification update is planned for flat-screen televisions, targeting the increasing popularity of energy-hogging TVs. The idea is to encourage companies to make more energy-efficient products without imposing requirements, said Jill Abelson, a representative for the Energy Star-labeled-products program.... More Comment in the Forums |
