by Jbs112209 g3 — November 30, 2009—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing new requirements for commercial and other audio/video (AV) products to earn the Energy Star label. EPA says that AV products meeting the new, more stringent specification will help protect the environment and reduce energy costs because they will be up to 60 percent more efficient than conventional models.
According to EPA, if all AV products sold in the United States met the new Energy Star requirements, Americans would save more than $1 billion in energy costs annually while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 1 million vehicles every year.
EPA revised the earlier Energy Star requirements for AV to address the rapid turnover of products and technologies, as well as changes in usage patterns within the category. The more inclusive and flexible specification will promote greater energy efficiency in today’s diverse market for audio/video products.
The new requirements for audio/video equipment cover commercial AV products and a wider range of products including audio amplifiers, AV receivers, shelf systems, DVD players, Blu Ray players, and docking stations that offer audio amplification or optical disc drive functions.
To earn the Energy Star label, AV products must consume less power when they are on and must power down automatically after a period of inactivity, using only small amounts of power to maintain settings and other features.
The new requirements for audio/video products previously eligible for the Energy Star will be effective July 30, 2010. For products previously excluded from Energy Star, such as commercial AV products and docking stations, the new requirements are effective immediately.
To find products in more than 60 Energy Star categories, including Office Equipment, Lighting, and Other Commercial Products, visit online.
