Energy Efficient Computers - Opportunities

ENERGY SAVINGS, INCREASED SECURITY, AND QUIETER OPERATION

Energy efficient computers have the potential to significantly reduce California's electricity consumption, with a savings potential of 70% or more beyond the Energy Star standard. With most Californians using computers regularly at home and at work, this is a huge opportunity. If Californians with inefficient hardware or power management change their settings and choose more efficient computers when they upgrade, achieving 75% savings over conventional computers and monitors, Californians could save enough energy to power over 886,000 households.

But the benefits of efficient computers are not limited to energy savings. For example, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is a tiered standard similar to LEED that considers multiple sustainability factors. To qualify, a computer must address several sustainability considerations including materials selection, design for the full lifecycle, energy efficiency, and corporate sustainability policy. EPEAT certification is required for Federal agency computer purchases, and is a valuable tool in making it easy for corporations to specify efficient and environmentally friendly hardware.

There are more practical advantages to energy efficient computers as well. Setting computers to hibernate after a period of inactivity increases data security - if a person walks away from a computer, it will automatically hibernate, so content is not visible on the screen and cannot be viewed without entering the login username and password.

Energy efficient computers have numerous other advantages as well, such as less intensive fan use, resulting in quieter operation. The reduced heat generation associated with energy efficient computers also means that parts can be built smaller and closer together, improving performance. Plus, office buildings with more energy efficient computers don't require as much cooling, saving further on energy bills.

Energy efficient monitors are also a great opportunity - since LCD monitors use less power than similarly sized CRT monitors, users can simultaneously reduce their electricity consumption and benefit from a flat screen.

With so many benefits, it's no wonder that computer energy efficiency technologies are going mainstream, and that Energy Star and EPEAT certification are becoming standard practice for consumers and corporations.

Photo Credit:  Courtesy of the California Energy Commission and Ecos Consulting