Rating System

LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - LEED 2.0

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/computer/Version5.0_Computer_Spec.pdf 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.