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Energy-efficient procurement:
Web site helps demystify Energy Star
As energy becomes more volatile, and expensive—particularly during the hot summer months—purchasers and office managers might want to ensure their machines and devices are as efficient as possible.
For a useful primer on the topic check out www.energystar.gc.ca, which is the federal government's web site for the Energy Star program. The Energy Star is an internationally-recognized logo that recognizes efficient appliances and office equipment.
The web site provides a glossary of terms purchasers should be familiar with when buying office equipment—such as "wake event," and "deep sleep mode."
The web site also debunks some common myths. For instance, screen savers don't save energy. On the contrary, they draw more power from the monitor, and prevent the central processing unit (CPU) from shutting down. Games running on desktops won’t allow the computer to go to sleep either, even if they're paused.
The web site also produces saving calculations of Energy Star versus non Energy Star devices. An office with 200 medium copiers, for instance, would dole out $91,953 in energy costs over the life cycle of the machines. But with Energy Star devices, the cost would be $63, 868.
In Canada, vendors of office equipment bearing the Energy Star logo include Canon Canada Inc., Panasonic Canada Inc., Sona Inc. and Super Electric Company (Canada) Ltd.
But it's not as easy as simply ordering Energy Star printers and copiers. Users must also ensure the machines are configured by the vendor for maximum use of energy-saving features.
On that note, the site contains sample procurement language buyers may wish to include in contracts to ensure their devices have the optimal settings. "The vendor must provide Energy Star qualified computers that are configured so that they automatically enter a low-power mode after a period of inactivity," the site reads.
Here's another example of contract language: "Installation and service performed as part of the agreement shall include the proper configuration of power-management features according to the terms of the Energy Star specification..."
The detailed criteria should enable purchasers to carve hefty energy savings out of their office equipment budgets, and help the environment in the process.
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