Data centers can now earn Energy Star labels

The federal agency said to earn the Energy Star label, data centers must be in the top 25 of their peers as measured utilizing the Power Usage Effectiveness metric. The Power Usage Effectiveness metric, or PUE, was developed by the Green Grid, a data center energy group.

In order to be awarded the label, which is seen on such appliances as refrigerators and washing machines, a licensed professional must independently verify the performance of the facility and sign and seal a document that is filed with the EPA.

At a conference in Florida, Alexandra Sullivan, the technical development manager for the Energy Star program, said the main goal of the initiative is to provide a simple, easily communicated symbol to provide motivation for energy savings in data centers.

The organization noted that improving the efficiency of data centers by 10 could result in the reduction of more than 6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in the U.S. That would be equivalent to the energy needed to power more than 350,000 homes and result in more than $450 million in savings per year.