Purchasing Energy Efficient Computer Equipment

CU-Boulder Guidelines for buying energy efficient computer equipment.

Below are CU-Boulder approved directions for specifying “energy smart” energy efficiency options on desktops, laptops and monitors. These fall into three categories:

1. Efficient hardware
2. Power management pre-sets
3. Monitor type

Buying energy efficient hardware

When purchasing computer equipment, choose products and models that are more energy efficient. Most major manufacturers, including Dell, Apple, and HP offer energy efficient equipment and energy efficient versions of most models.

The most efficient hardware is certified by Energy-Star, the federal standard for highest energy efficiency. Energy Star-certified products include desktops, laptops, monitors, servers and workstations. When selecting equipment look for the Energy Star logo and Energy Star 4.0 certified systems.

The Energy Star website lets you search Energy Star certified models from a range of manufacturers. Go to http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_find_es_products and click on the links under the Computers & Electronics section for your specific needs.

Most manufacturers also highlight or identify their Energy Star or energy efficient models on their purchasing websites.

Buying equipment with power management options enabled

Even if a model is Energy Star certified, some energy-saving or “power management” options may not be enabled unless you specifically request them to be when ordering the system. Power management options are those associated with equipment being in “sleep” or “standby” mode.

The energy power management pre-set option may cost a few dollars more, but it pays itself off in energy savings in a few months.

Buying energy efficient monitors

Although rare these days, CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors are still out there. CRT monitors use several times more energy to power than today’s flat-screen monitors. Buy flat-screen monitors instead of flat-screen monitors even if a CRT is less expensive; the amount of energy they use will make up for this cost advantage in very little time.

If you have CRT monitors in use in your department, the University may be able to provide you with an energy efficient flat-screen monitor to replace it. To replace CRT monitors, contact Susan Beckett, Energy Program Manager at the CU Environmental Center. 303-492-3229 or susan.beckett@colorado.edu.