Should EPA Expand the Energy Star Rating to Medical Equipment?
Clark Reed, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Introduced by EPA in 1992 for energy-efficient computers, the ENERGY STAR® program has grown to encompass more than 50 product categories in addition to new homes and commercial buildings. For each product category, a unique specification describes the energy performance requirements that a product must meet to qualify for the label. Product manufacturers may use the label to identify those models that meet the energy performance requirements. EPA is beginning to conduct research on a potential new ENERGY STAR product category: medical equipment. Over the next two years, EPA and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) are partnering to study the energy consumption characteristics of medical equipment in full load and stand-by modes. Once consumption characteristics are known, EPA will consider the following criteria to determine whether to develop ENERGY STAR product specifications: •
