The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued new requirements that computer servers and commercial ovens and griddles must meet in order to be able to carry an ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labelling programme designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ENERGY STAR label is now on more than 40 different kinds of products, including home electronics, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, room air conditioners, commercial fryers, commercial hot food holding cabinets, commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers, commercial steam cookers, computers and other office equipment and lighting.

To qualify for the ENERGY STAR label, computer servers will have to be around 30 percent more energy efficient than standard computer servers. Qualifying servers will be required to include such features as (i) efficient power supplies that generate less waste heat, reducing the need for excess air conditioning in the facilities where they are housed; (ii) improved power quality to provide building-wide efficiency benefits; (iii) capabilities to measure real time power use, processor utilisation and air temperature, which will improve manageability and lower the total cost of ownership; (iv) advanced power management features to save energy across various operating states; and (v) a power and performance data sheet for purchasers that standardises key information on energy performance, features and other capabilities.

Commercial griddles and ovens will have to meet energy requirements that are on average 10 to 20 percent more efficient than those of standard models. These products will be required to meet minimum cooking efficiency levels as well as maximum idle energy rates. Cooking efficiency represents the amount of energy absorbed by the food product compared to the total energy used by the griddle or oven during the cooking process, while idle energy rate represents the energy used by the griddle or oven while it is maintaining or holding at a steady temperature. The EPA notes that energy savings from commercial griddles and ovens will grow to more than US$700 million per year and prevent greenhouse emissions equivalent to those from more than 660,000 vehicles.