Displays for Consumers

The Version 5.0 ENERGY STAR Displays specification covers computer monitors, digital picture frames, and professional signage, collectively referred to as displays under this specification.

• The requirements for displays <30 inches diagonal became effective October 30, 2009. The requirements for displays from 30-60 inches diagonal will become effective January 30, 2010. On average, ENERGY STAR qualified products covered under this specification will be 23 percent more energy efficient than conventional options.
• ENERGY STAR qualified computer monitors/displays use from 25–60% less electricity than standard models, depending on how they are used.
• If all displays sold in the US meet this new specification, the energy savings would grow to about $1 billion each year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to hose from nearly 1.5 million vehicles.

Ways to Conserve Energy

• Enabling your display's power management features and turning it off at night not only saves energy, but also helps computer monitor equipment run cooler and last longer.
• Businesses that use ENERGY STAR enabled office equipment may realize additional savings on air conditioning and maintenance.
• Over its lifetime, equipment in a single home office (e.g., computer, monitor, printer, and fax) that meet the new ENERGY STAR specifications will save more than $115 over the life of the products, and even more if you don't already have ENERGY STAR qualified equipment.

Earning the ENERGY STAR

• Displays must meet stringent requirements in On, Sleep, and Off Modes in order to earn the ENERGY STAR.
• For small displays, the on mode power consumption limits are based on both viewable screen area and resolution.
• For large displays, the on mode power consumption limits are based on viewable screen area alone.
• In general, larger, high resolution displays will have higher maximum On Mode power consumption allowances than smaller, low resolution displays.
• In Sleep Mode, displays must consume 2 watts or less.
• In Off Mode, displays must consume 1 watt or less.

Monitors originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in 1992. Version 5.0 of the specification went into effect on October 30, 2009 for displays under 30 inches viewable diagonal screen size. The specification will take effect for displays between 30 and 60 inches on January 30, 2010.

Displays Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

These FAQs represent the top ten related to Displays and the ENERGY STAR program.