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EPA to discuss Energy Star 5.0 draft
Author: Gareth HalfacreePublished: 8th April 2008
The Energy Star rating system is due to get tougher on computer manufacturers with its fifth major revision.
The Energy Star rating has been around since 1992, and is a scheme designed to ensure consumer gadgets – originally computing devices, but later expanded to include most home appliances sold in the US – meet a minimum energy efficiency standard. With each revision of the specification the expected efficiency from products wanting to claim they meet the standard rises, and 5.0 is no exception.
The new standard won't go into effect until July 2009, which gives manufacturers some time to prepare. Where the current 80-Plus standard for computer power supplies requires 80 percent efficiency at half their rated output, the new Energy Star standard will require a stonking 85 percent as a bare minimum. Required efficiency at high and low loading has been increased as well, and now the scheme will require 82 percent efficiency at loading of 20 and 100 percent of rated output.
Although some power supplied currently available on the market already meet these standards, many fall short – especially at the cheaper OEM end of the market. Many pre-built systems come with PSUs incapable of much better than 65 percent efficiency, so those manufacturers are really going to have to raise their game if they want to keep sticking those Energy Star symbols on their products.
Do you believe schemes like this will help consumers make informed choices about the energy usage of products they purchase, or is it all about ticking pointless boxes on the product packaging? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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Comments (17)Stats: 0.114 seconds
didn't know EPA actually exists, thought it was Simpsons imaginary joke.
for the avg. bit-tech reader it wont be a problem though as I am sure that Seasonic and co will bring out psu's by then that do meet the requirements.
I dont want a 15$, I was talking about hp, dell and co that have never even come close to a psu that costs more than 15$ (obviously excluding server market). Simply put, the oems that make up for the majority of pc sales in retail wont be able to use any psu that meets energystar 5 requirements.
I don't think they use any that meet the current requirements (80%). My statement still stands. OEMS are not required to meet this standard, they can still get any PSU they like. This only means they cannot put the energy star badge on the PC. I don't think it will effect sales much.
Besides, don't you want better quality components? Any standard which tries to increase overall quality standards is fine by me. The more better quality PSUs are made and sold, the lower the price. May cost more now, but if everyone jumps on the bandwagon the cost will drop back down to normal.
NO one HAS to meet it.. Meeting it just lets you put the sticker on your product. Its no more a requirement then the little star on the Crysis box that says "Includes farcry inside"
with the whole green mania in europe I woudnt be surprised if there woud be a law soon that requires them to stick to that standard.
do I want a psu that meets such requirements? sure, i'll buy one (even though it wont be the only criteria).
I have to agree that we will just see less equipment with the energy star logo on it. However, it does make sense to go for energy star appliances. I know I can claim the larger ones on tax day, and get a rebate back from the gas/elec company for switching to some of them. Examples that I have used due to repairs, water heater, dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer. And when you leave your pc on for most of the month the electric bill really helps having some effeciency in the powersupply of the pc.
You can live without a GTX or two. Get a 65-watt laptop.
Actually, you dont need a 800 W psu for a highend pc, look at reviews on bit tech, high end machines pulling around 300W from the wall.