Energy Star Solar Power Energy Generation Guide
Energy Star Standard For Electrical Appliances
By Gerard J Howson
Modern homes have many appliances and technologies,
helping us live our modern lifestyle, with a high demand
for power to run all these systems. This high demand
for electricity corresponds with an increase in power
bills. A better option, is to reduce the demand for
electricity by replacing current appliances with more
energy efficient Energy Star appliances.
Most power plants these days, use non-renewable fossil
fuels like coal and gas, while hydropower plants use
water turbines. Combustion of fossil fuels releases
greenhouse gases and soot into the atmosphere.
Hydropower plants require construction of large dams,
seriously affecting surrounding ecosystems and even
moving populations to flood villages and towns.
Replace Current Power Generation Systems
These days, rather than building more and more power
stations, we should be looking at using the current
systems and replacing them with systems using renewable
energy sources with no emissions like solar power and
wind power.
Reducing The Demand For More Electricity
Rather than cease using essential appliances like a
refrigerator, a washing machine or even a computer,
the better alternative, is to use more energy efficient
refrigerators and computers, to help reduce the demand
for more electricity.
Next time you need to replace any of your current appliances
or electronic devices, you should look for the Energy
Star rating, to purchase an energy efficient appliance,
to help reduce your power bills.
The Energy Star Designation
Energy Star is a designation given to appliances and
other electronic products that use less energy. You
may wonder, what appliances qualify for Energy Star?
The answer is, appliances and electronic devices that
use significantly less energy than conventional
counterparts.
For example, an Energy Star dishwasher, must spend
at least 41% less energy than a standard dishwasher.
A refrigerator, requires a decrease of 20% to qualify
for Energy Star. While an Energy Star air conditioner
uses 10% less power.
Energy Efficient Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are also subject to Energy Star
standards. For example an Energy Star TV, uses 30% less
electricity.
Battery chargers, VCRs and cordless phones must use
90% less energy than the average to qualify for the
Energy Star. The more stars, the better energy efficiency
of the electronic device.
Rating The Power Supply For Computers
Energy Star qualifications for computers are far more
stringent. The new Energy Star standard requires that
the power supply of the computer must follow the 80
PLUS program.
This means the power supply must be at least 80% efficient
at 20%, 50% and 100% power loads. So, if the electronic
device receives 1000 watts of power, then it should
be using at least 800 watts to achieve energy efficiency.
EPA Report Published In December 2008
Nothing is perfect, and the Energy Star system is no
exception. For example, in December 2008, the Environmental
Protection Agency Inspector General published a report
on the Energy Star program.
The report says that the allegations of the Energy
Star energy reduction were either inaccurate or unverified.
The testing of energy efficiency flouts the fundamental
research methods.
A Conflict Of Interest
Manufacturers test their own products, and submitted
their own results, an obvious conflict of interest.
The data provided by manufacturers were rarely checked
by Energy Star.
Old testing methods were used when new methods were
available. Although Energy Star may be uncertain, it
is still the best system for determining the energy
savings.
However, to make your final purchasing decision, you
should do additional research, like visiting online
user review sites.
About the Author:
Gerard J Howson has written a number of articles on Saving Energy,
Solar Power and Renewable energy including
Energy Saving Products,
Energy Efficient Refrigerator,
Saving Energy Tips,
Solar Technology,
Solar Hot Water,
Solar Electric,
Portable Solar Power.
Gerard is working on more articles. Look out for new articles as they become available on this site.
Little Known Solar Facts.....
What is the initial cost of switching over to
using alternate energy?
Switching over depends on
what exactly you are switching.
Houses that have to be retrofitted using solar
panels to generate electricity can be quite costly.
Vehicles are cheaper to retrofit but require work.
The costs can vary for anything switched over.
The best way to get an estimated idea is to seek
out a contractor or mechanic that is for using
alternate energy sources.
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