The computer industry is growing rapidly because of increasing consumer demands for performance, stability, and cost effectiveness. Although computer desktop and server components are getting more sophisticated t a key component - the power supply - is still lagging behind in its technology. What is need, simply, is greater power efficiency.

Ecos Consulting along with Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Efficiency Vermont, and various California and east coast utilities team-up to create the 80 Plus program (www.80plus.org). The program tests computers and servers power supplies and certified models that are 80% or greater energy efficient at 20%, 50%, and 100% of rated load with a true power factor of 0.9 or greater.  A standard non-certified 80 PlusŪ power supply varies from 65% to 85% efficiency depending on load and temperatures.  This makes an 80 PlusŪ certified power supply more than 33% more efficient than current standard power supply.

Currently there are 90% computers on the market that meet the July 2000 revised version 3.0 ENERGY STAR specification. However, starting on or after July 20, 2007, a new version 4.0 of the ENERGY STAR specification for computers and servers will take effect. In order to ship with the ENERGY STAR logo, the internal power supply is requires to be at least 80% efficient with a power factor of 0.9 or greater.  This new requirement will surely gives an 80 PlusŪ certified power supply the momentum.
80 Plus certified power supply benefit:
  • Energy saving up to $70 per computer
  • Reduce room cooling cost up to 30%
  • Increase system reliability and cut maintenance cost as much as 40%
  • Environmental friendly by preventing pollution as energy consumption reduce
  • Construction savings on hundreds of dollars in electrical system upgrade
  • Allows multiple computers on the same branch circuit
  • Reduce heat and create a quite environment by minimizing noisy fans and lower electrical bill
How much can you save?

80 Plus program has posted a procurement calculator on its website. It's a simple Excel spreadsheet that can estimate savings across the number of computers purchased each year. For example, if you participate in the 80 Plus program and buy 1,000 computers a year. It could cut your electric bills by $18,000 after just 2 years, not counting air conditioning savings and the value of improving power quality.
ASI is currently stocking 80 PlusŪ certified power supply for every day desktop PC and server. Start saving in electrical bill immediately and enjoy a quiet, cool, and clean environment by adopting 80 Plus program to your PC.  Lets run cool, run reliably, run with 80 Plus.
 
Courtesy of www.80plus.org / www.energystar.gov