ENERGY STAR^® – Qualifying Criteria for Computers and Monitors

All manufacturers of computers and monitors are required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they can sign an ENERGY STAR Administrative Arrangement with Natural Resources Canada.

Effective July 1, 1999, ENERGY STAR specifications require that all computers be shipped with network capability to sleep on networks and to respond to computer requests to wake up.

Definition
Monitor – categorized as a cathode-ray tube (CRT), flat-panel display (e.g. a liquid crystal display) or other display device and its associated electronics. A monitor may be sold separately or integrated into the computer chassis. This definition is intended primarily to cover standard monitors designed for use with personal computers. The following may also be considered monitors: mainframe terminals and physically separate display units.

Integrated Computer Systems – categorized as systems in which the computer and visual display monitor are combined into a single unit. Such systems must meet the following criteria: the power consumption of the two components cannot be measured separately; and the system is connected to the wall outlet through a single power cable.

Enable – To set the power management feature of a given product to activate the power-saving features automatically as specified in the product's ENERGY STAR Participant Administrative Arrangement with the manufacturer.

Low-Power (Sleep) Mode: Computer – The reduced power state that the computer enters after a period of inactivity.

First Low-Power (Sleep) Mode: Monitor – The first reduced power state that the monitor enters after receiving instructions from a computer or from other functions. A blank screen and reduction in power consumption characterize this mode. The monitor returns to full-power mode upon sensing a request from a user.

Second Low-Power (Deep Sleep) Mode: Monitor – The second reduced power state that the monitor enters after receiving instructions from a computer or from other functions. A significant reduction in power consumption characterizes this mode. The monitor returns to full-power mode upon sensing a request from a user.

Wake Event – A user, programmed or external event or stimulus that causes the computer to shift from low-power or sleep mode to its active mode of operation. Examples of wake events include, but are not limited to, mouse movement, keyboard activity or a button press on the chassis, and in the case of external events, stimuli conveyed via a telephone, remote control, network, cable modem, satellite or other device.

Table 1 Computers
Computer Model Ship Date		Guideline		Power Consumption Power Supply (watts)		Power Consumption in Sleep Mode (watts)
Before July 1, 2000		Will enter a sleep mode within 30 minutes of inactivity. If shipped with network capability, it will sleep on networks and respond to wake events.		<= 200 > 200		<= 30 percent of power supply's maximum continuous output rating
On and after July 1, 2000		Will enter a sleep mode within 30 minutes of inactivity. If shipped with network capability, it will sleep on networks and respond to wake events.		Guideline A <= 200 > 200, <= 300 > 300, <= 350 > 350, <= 400 > 400		<= 15 <= 20 <= 25 <= 30 <= 10 percent of power supply's maximum continuous output rating
				Guideline B		<= 15 percent of power supply's maximum continuous output rating

Table 2 Integrated Computer System
Integrated Computer Model Ship Date		Guideline		Power Consumption in Sleep Mode (watts)
Before July 1, 2000		Will enter a sleep mode within 30 minutes of inactivity. If shipped with network capability, it will sleep on networks and respond to wake events.		<= 45
On and after July 1, 2000		Will enter a sleep mode within 30 minutes of inactivity. If shipped with network capability, it will sleep on networks and respond to wake events.		<= 35

Table 3 Monitors
Low-Power Mode		First Low-Power (Sleep) Mode		Second Low-Power (Deep Sleep) Mode
Maximum watts in low-power state		<= 15		<= 8

Additional Guidelines
Power management features must be activated before shipping with initial preset default times. Computers must include one or more mechanisms to power down an ENERGY STAR qualified monitor. Computers must be able to "sleep" in any operating system pre-installed before shipping, unless clearly stated in product literature. If the computer is shipped with a network capability, it will retain in sleep mode its ability to respond to wake events directed or targeted to the computer while on a network. If the wake event requires the computer to exit the sleep mode and perform a task, the computer will re-enter its sleep mode after a period of inactivity following the completion of the task requested.

Certification Requirements
Products may be self-certified, or certified by an independent third party, to determine if they are compliant with the ENERGY STAR technical specifications. For specific testing protocols, please refer to the U.S. ENERGY STAR Web site. Tests may be conducted on products bearing the ENERGY STAR symbol to determine their compliance, and the Participant may be asked to voluntarily provide products for the purposes of such testing.