Tag Archives: energy star
U.S. EPA Announces Criteria for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2016
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced final recognition criteria for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2016. The ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation is eligible in 12 product categories: Air Source Heat Pumps and Central Air Conditioners Boilers Ceiling Fans Clothes Washers Dishwashers Computer Monitors Furnaces Geothermal Heat Pumps Refrigerator Freezers Televisions Ventilation Fans Residential... Read More
ENERGY STAR Certification Program is Growing to Include LNE & Other Product Categories
MET Labs was fortunate to have the opportunity recently to host U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR Product Manager Verena Radulovic, who gave a talk on the ENERGY STAR Product Certification Scheme. Here are a few key points from her presentation: The ENERGY STAR program is a big success. 87% of households recognize the ENERGY... Read More
External Power Supplies Must Meet Level VI Energy Efficiency Requirements for U.S. DoE by February 2016
By February 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy requires that external power supplies are compliant to Level VI energy efficiency requirements. The global regulatory environment for external power supply energy efficiency has rapidly evolved over the past decade since the California Energy Commission (CEC) implemented the first mandatory standard in 2004. Now, external power supplies... Read More
Marijuana Farms Skirt Laws – EMC & Product Safety Laws, That Is
According to a recent article by a San Francisco-area police officer, indoor marijuana grows are proliferating and many of them are illegal. Due to their frequent use of uncertified equipment that is manufactured overseas with little to no regulatory oversight, there has been a significant amount of radio frequency interference (RFI) that leaves these operations... Read More
ENERGY STAR Certification for Computers Now to Version 6.1
As of September 10th, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Version 6.1 requirements took effect. This newer version expands the scope of the computers program to include two new product types and a subtype of Notebook Computers. EPA chose to add Slates/Tablets, and Portable All-In-One computers to their product list and a... Read More
ENERGY STAR Certification of Set-Top Boxes Now to Version 4.1
As of August 1, 2014, EPA ENERGY STAR Certification Bodies – including MET Labs – are only certifying set-top boxes (STBs) and cable boxes to the new Version 4.1 specification. No new certifications to Version 3.0 are allowable, although existing Version 3.0 certifications will remain valid for the purposes of ENERGY STAR qualification until December... Read More
ENERGY STAR Certification of Data Center Storage Equipment Begins
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized Version 1.0 of the ENERGY STAR Data Center Storage Specification and the ENERGY STAR Data Center Storage Test Method. According to EPA, datacenters are estimated to be more than 2% of total U.S. electricity consumption, so more energy efficient data center storage equipment will help data center... Read More
ENERGY STAR Certification of Enterprise Servers to Version 2 Has Begun
For certification of enterprise servers, ENERGY STAR is transitioning from specification version 1.1 to 2.0. Version 2.0 is not officially effective until December 16, 2013, but manufacturers may already have products certified to it. As of August 31, 2013, Certification Bodies like MET Labs will no longer certify new products to version 1.1. Here are... Read More
NRCan Proposes Decoupling ENERGY STAR Specs from its Energy Efficiency Regulations
Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) ENERGY STAR Initiative is considering significant changes in how products manufactured and/or sold in Canada are qualified and listed. NRCan proposes to de-couple Canada’s ENERGY STAR technical specifications from its Energy Efficiency Regulations. NRCan intends to use the ENERGY STAR technical specification published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)... Read More
Luminaires Manufacturers Get New ENERGY STAR Certification Resources
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted new materials that aid in the testing and certification of lighting products for ENERGY STAR: Certifying Luminaires – Utilizing the Certified Subcomponent Database (CSD) This document helps luminaire manufacturers select components for ENERGY STAR fixtures. Items listed on the CSD have already been tested for photometric, life... Read More
