ENERGY STAR is a government-backed labeling program that helps people and organizations save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by identifying factories, office equipment, home appliances and electronics that have superior energy efficiency. Most new desktop and notebook computers, game consoles, and servers now come with the ENERGY STAR label. (On the Energy Star Web site, www.energystar.gov, you can search for Energy Star-qualified products.)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that, if all computers sold in the United States meet the ENERGY STAR requirements, the savings in energy costs will grow to about $2 billion each year, and that greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by the equivalent of those from 2 million cars.