Energy Consumption Should Be Consideration In Choosing Computer
Q. I’m purchasing a computer for our family this holiday season. I want something powerful, reliable and economical, but I’m also concerned about energy-efficiency. Do computers vary in their electrical consumption? Is there such a thing as an environmentally friendly computer system?
A. Good questions! Computers make up the fastest-growing electricity load in homes and offices. And some models use more electricity than others.
Purchasing an energy-efficient computer will minimize the effect your purchase has on your own electricity bills, plus reduce overall demand for more power generation. If the company you purchase from also follows “green practices,” your computer will cause fewer impacts on the environment.
To learn more about different computer systems, read comparative reviews published in most computer magazines. These reviews provide a good deal of information on features and price, but they don’t always mention energy efficiency. However, you can look for the following features to identify models that are energy efficient and environmentally sensitive.
Look for a computer that displays the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Energy Star” logo. Launched in 1992, the Energy Star program encourages manufacturers to design low-power personal computers. These computers enter a low-power state - often called sleep mode - when they’re inactive.
When the keyboard or mouse is touched the computer snaps back into full power. EPA reports that these new computers could save about 25 billion kWh of power by the year 2000 - the amount of electricity used to power Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire for a year.
Smaller computers require less plastic, energy and other resources to produce. Lap-top computers use about one-tenth of the energy of comparable desk units.
Find computers packaged in materials that are both recycled and recyclable.
See if the plastic used to make the unit is tagged with plastic identification numbers. These numbers make it easy to sort and recycle the parts.
Ask how long the ribbon, toner cartridge, inkjet cartridge, image drum and the other printer parts will last. If they need to be replaced frequently, they will add more to the solid waste stream more often. The printer should be able to use plain paper that is easy to recycle. The printer should produce little or no ozone, or come with a replaceable ozone filter.
For information on the Energy Star Program contact: Energy Star Computers Program US EPA Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division, M Street SW (6202J), Washington DC 20460; (202) 233-9114 (Fax (202) 233-9578; Internet Web Site: http:/ /www.epa.gov/docs/GCDOAR/eschome.html.
Jason DeLeon asssisted with the writing of this column.
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