ENERGY STAR Certification: Proof of Energy Efficiency
If you're shopping for a new computer, you've likely seen the blue ENERGY STAR® logo and wondered what it means and if it is worth it. We will answer some common questions about ENERGY STAR computers to help you decide.
For many, when buying a new computer, it's about speed and power. But energy efficiency is increasingly important. An ENERGY STAR® certified computer uses 25%–40% less energy than a standard model without sacrificing quality or performance. Energy-efficient computers can save you money on your electricity bill and help reduce your carbon footprint.
What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR® is the trusted US government-backed label for energy efficiency, making it easy to identify products that save you money and protect the environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) run the ENERGY STAR program. ENERGY STAR certified products must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. These policies reduce energy costs for both businesses and homeowners.
In 2020 Americans bought more than:
- 300 million ENERGY STAR certified products
- 300 million ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs
Since 1992, the ENERGY STAR certification has sold more than 7 billion products.
Computers and office equipment account for about 13% of all commercial electricity consumption. Today, the ENERGY STAR label is on more than 75 different product categories, including:
- Office equipment
- Computers
- Home electronics
- Appliances
- Lighting
ENERGY STAR certified computers are 25% - 40% more energy efficient than standard models, saving businesses and consumers money on energy bills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
What is an ENERGY STAR certified computer?
ENERGY STAR certified computers are among the most energy-efficient on the market and meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA, including:
- Energy-efficient internal power supply unit (PSU): 80% or higher efficiency rating to meet the minimum Silver ENERGY STAR rating.
- Enhanced Power-management: save energy by entering sleep mode automatically when idle.
- Use Power-Saving: operate efficiently by reducing energy consumption in sleep, idle, and on modes.
- Meet ROHS standards: limit the use of hazardous substances in products such as lead, cadmium, or mercury.
- Reduce Electronic Waste: Meet international standards so parts can be easily removed and recycled.
ENERGY STAR certified computers will use 60% less than non-certified computers. Monitors will be 25% more energy efficient. So - you'll reduce greenhouse emissions and save on energy bills.
Is my computer ENERGY STAR certified?
If you are unsure whether your computer is ENERGY STAR certified, the easiest way to find out is to check for the back of your device or the manual.
You can also find a list of computers on the ENERGY STAR website.
How much electricity does a computer use?
The power consumption varies depending on whether it is a desktop or a laptop:
- A desktop setup uses an average of 200 - 500 watts of electricity per hour. So annual consumption is 576 - 1,460 kWh (8 hours a day), emitting 249 - 632 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
- A laptop uses around 30 - 70 watts of electricity per hour. So annual consumption is 86 - 204 kWh (8 hours a day), emitting 37.2 - 88.2 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
Using an ENERGY STAR device can reduce this by up to 40% and reduce your carbon dioxide emissions. In standby mode, a desktop's energy consumption must be less than 3 watts, and a notebook must be under 2.5 watts. So you'll reduce your energy bills and costs because your machine uses less energy.
Is an ENERGY STAR computer slower?
No. Computers that have earned the ENERGY STAR help you save energy and money without sacrificing performance. With increased energy efficiency, you will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Many energy-efficient products, including computers, will run faster than their non-certified counterparts as they use less power. Remember that ENERGY STAR computers have efficient power supplies (minimum 80% efficiency), so they dissipate less heat. If their core temperature is lower, they can run more efficiently.
Is an ENERGY STAR certified computer worth it?
Let's say you were looking for a new computer. Would an ENERGY STAR certified computer be worth it? There are many factors to take into account when answering this question.
1) Cost Savings
By putting your computer automatically into a low-power "sleep mode" after a period of inactivity, you'll save $10 to $50 per computer annually.
The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) studied the cost-effectiveness of energy-efficient computers. According to FEMP, an ENERGY STAR desktop computer will save you money if priced at no more than $43 above a non-certified desktop. For a laptop, it saves money if priced no more than $7 above the less efficient model.
For further savings, search for rebates and special offers on ENERGY STAR certified products.
If all computer servers sold in the US were certified, the efficiency would save $1 billion in annual energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18 billion pounds. The equivalent of over 1.7 million vehicles.
2) Improved sustainability
The second advantage of the ENERGY STAR program is sustainability. It helps to reduce your carbon footprint and cuts emissions of:
- Greenhouse gases
- Sulfur dioxide
- Nitrogen oxides
- Fine particulate matter
Individuals and businesses committed to protecting the environment will be helping fight pollution and climate change by swapping to ENERGY STAR certified computers.
3) Acer ENERGY STAR Certified Notebooks
1. Acer Spin 714
Premium 2-in-1 Energy-Efficient Chromebook
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a sleek and powerful 2-in-1 laptop for students and professionals on the go. Its 360° convertible design makes it easy to switch between tablet, laptop, and tent modes.
It features a slim design with a lightweight chassis, making it easy to carry around. Weighing in at just over 3 lbs and ENERGY STAR approved, it's the ideal blend of efficiency and portability. With a 4" WUXGA IPS touch display and military-grade durability, it's perfect for productivity anywhere. The stylus feels natural with over 4,096 different levels of pressure sensitivity and charges quickly - with 15 minutes giving you 4 hours of use.
With an Intel® Core™ i5 processor, you can wake your Chromebook up in under a second. It multitasks well and is suitable for casual gaming. Quick-charge the 10-hour battery for up to four hours of use in under 30 minutes.
Chromebook Spin 714 Specs:
- Screen: 14" WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 Touchscreen
- Weight (Approximate): 3.09 lb
- Maximum Battery Run Time: 13.5 hours
- Operating System: Chrome OS
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-1235U
- Graphics Card: Intel® Iris Xe Graphics
- Memory: 16 GB, DDR4 SDRAM
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
2. Acer TravelMate P4
Business Level Energy Efficient Notebook
With ENERGY STAR certification, the Acer TravelMate P4 is a powerful and portable business-grade laptop with the security and speed required to breeze through your work. With an 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, this workhorse excels at multitasking and can quickly handle demanding apps.
The TravelMate P4 has a semi-metal, versatile design for lasting durability, security, and connectivity. It is perfect for on-the-go work at only 3.09 pounds, 0.70" thin, and 13.5 hours of battery run time.
With a 14-inch Full HD screen, it blends power and portability and is ideal for movies or presentations.
TravelMate P4 Notebook Specs:
- Screen Size: 14" Full HD
- Weight (Approximate): 3.09 lb
- Maximum Battery Run Time: 13.5 hours
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7
- Graphics Card: Intel® Iris Xe Graphics
- Memory: 16 GB, DDR4 SDRAM
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Pro (Free Windows 11 Upgrade)
3. Acer Spin 513
Affordable 2-in-1 ENERGY STAR Chromebook
The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 2-in-1's ultra-portable design makes it easy to take with you wherever you go. The MediaTek Kompanio 1380 processor is budget-friendly yet powerful enough to multitask efficiently and finish your work faster.
The Corning® Gorilla® Glass-protected 3:2 VertiView 13.5" display and 7.7mm narrow bezels give you 18% more vertical screen space to work on. Stay productive on the go with the Acer Chromebook Spin 513's 360° hinge, which makes it possible to use as a laptop, tent, or tablet. Work in limited space areas such as a plane or train, and with its 11 hours of battery life, you'll be able to be productive anywhere.
The sleek, premium look and feel will make you stand out from the crowd.
Acer Spin 513 Specs:
- Screen: 13.5" LCD (2256 x 1504) 10 Touchscreen
- Weight (Approximate): 2.82 lb
- Maximum Battery Run Time: 11 hours
- Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 1380
- Graphics Card: MediaTek Integrated Graphics
- Memory: 8 GB Total RAM
- Storage: 128 Flash Memory
- OS: Chrome OS
The ENERGY STAR logo guarantees reduced energy costs over the life of the device. In 2020, 96.73% of Acer notebooks met ENERGY STAR guidelines. This means they are up to 30% more energy-efficient than standard laptops, saving you money on your energy bills and helping reduce climate change. We will continue to commit to energy conservation, carbon reduction, and sustainability.
*The opinions reflected in this article are the sole opinions of the author and do not reflect any official positions or claims by Acer Inc.
About Robert Stark: Robert is a Taiwan-based writer and digital marketer at iamrobert design. He has a passion for helping people simplify their lives through tech.
Robert is a Taiwan-based writer and digital marketer at iamrobert design. He has a passion for helping people simplify their lives through tech.
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