Date
Inquiry

Our client has purchased and will be reusing Energy Star rated equipment and appliances for their LEED CI build-out. However, 84 of the desktop computers will be switching over to Thin Client, a device that allows users to operate off of one interface rather than having individual PCs at each desk. Instead, each desk will only require a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The maximum power usage on this product is 5.6 Watts, which is far below the standard 120 Watts for desktops. Likewise, Thin Client also uses far less energy than any of the current Energy Star rated PCs on the market. However, Energy Star does not add Thin Client to their qualifications until July 1, 2009, this is past when we expect to submit our project to the USGBC. Below is the link to Energy Star\'s Version 5.0 for reference and to confirm Thin Clients addition to the program in July. www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/comp... Not only does Thin Client reduce energy use, it also reduces maintenance and operation costs as well as reduction of overall material generation and utilization. We believe that this piece of equipment goes above and beyond the current ES requirements and surely meets the intent of the credit; we consider it to be the next innovative step in office equipment, and recommend that our client be allowed to use Thin Client toward their 90% Energy Star rated Equipment and Appliance goal.

Ruling

The applicant is requesting permission to include Thin Client equipment towards meeting the 90% Energy Star rated equipment goal. While it is clear that in the near future many office projects will be able to use this technology and achieve significant savings, it appears that Thin Client is a type of equipment. There can be various types of Thin Clients that a project team may select and there is variation in the performance characteristics of each. Without a valid Energy Star certification for the exact make and model of Thin Client equipment proposed on this project, it will not be possible to determine if the specified piece of equipment is efficient or not. At this time, Thin Client cannot be accounted towards meeting the 90% Energy Star equipment. Applicable Internationally.

Internationally Applicable
On
Campus Applicable
Off
Credits