New guidelines for PCs aim to cut energy use
Consumers will soon get the chance to help save the planet and some money too, thanks to new guidelines coming out for personal computers. Later today, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program will release more stringent requirements for PC manufacturers, aimed at potentially cutting energy use by 60 percent. For consumers, that could mean savings of anywhere from tens of dollars to $100 a year on electricity bills.
The new Energy Star requirements cover all notebook and desktop computers, workstations and small servers. The main requirements call for computer manufacturers to sell power supplies that are 80 percent efficient and ship all computers with the sleep mode set to kick off up to 30 minutes after inactivity. The cost to computer makers isn’t expected to be high, given it will largely come from the power supplies. The EPA estimates consumers will pay slightly more for Energy Star compliant PCs.
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