ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary U.S. government labeling program for energy-efficient products. A computer, monitor, or printer with ENERGY STAR certification has met efficiency requirements and been tested by an independent, EPA-recognized lab. For you, that means lower electricity use and potentially lower energy bills compared with non-certified models. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the program in 1992. In 2026, leadership began moving to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
What Is ENERGY STAR?
The EPA introduced the ENERGY STAR label for computers and monitors in 1992 [1]. It has since expanded to appliances, lighting, homes, and commercial buildings.
ENERGY STAR sets efficiency requirements for each product category. Since 2011, products have had to be third-party certified and tested in an EPA-recognized laboratory [1]. The EPA estimates the program has saved Americans more than $500 billion in energy costs since 1992 [2].
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. program, but other countries take part too. Natural Resources Canada runs it in Canada, and Japan and Switzerland run it for selected product categories [1].
What's changing with ENERGY STAR in 2026
On March 3, 2026, the EPA and DOE signed an agreement to move ENERGY STAR's leadership and program administration to DOE [3]. The full transition, including the IT product portfolio and databases, is scheduled to finish by July 2027 [3]. The label itself is staying.
What ENERGY STAR Means for Your Computer
ENERGY STAR computer requirements cover how much power a device uses across idle, sleep, and off modes. Certified computers also ship with power management turned on. For years, the requirements have called for the display to sleep within 15 minutes of inactivity and the computer within 30 minutes [4].
Those default settings are where much of the savings comes from. Leave them on, or set shorter times if they suit how you work. You can adjust them in Windows under Settings > System > Power & battery.
How ENERGY STAR Can Lower Your Energy Costs
A certified device is built to use less electricity than a comparable non-certified model, which may lower your energy bills over the life of the device. Actual savings depend on how you use it, how long you use it each day, and your local electricity rates. Using less electricity may also lower your estimated carbon footprint, depending on how your utility generates power.
To get the most from a certified device:
- Keep sleep and display-off settings turned on
- Shut down or unplug devices you won't use for a few days
- Turn on your printer's auto-off or sleep setting
- Lower screen brightness when you don't need it at full level
How to Find ENERGY STAR Certified HP Products
Certification applies to specific models and configurations, not to a whole product line. Check these before you buy:
- Product details. Look for "ENERGY STAR certified" in the specifications on the HP product page.
- ENERGY STAR product finder. Search the model on energystar.gov to confirm its certification.
- Your country. ENERGY STAR certification applies to models sold in the United States and Canada.
Browse laptops, desktops, monitors, and printers to compare models.
ENERGY STAR Certified HP Products to Consider
Certification applies to specific configurations, so each pick below names the exact model we checked. Always confirm the label on the product page for the configuration you buy.
HyperX OMEN 15 gaming laptop
The HyperX OMEN 15 is built for high-frame-rate gaming. Unleashed Mode lets you overclock manually, and OMEN AI can optimize settings for higher FPS with a single click.
Sustainability features (15-ga0762nr):
- ENERGY STAR® certified¹
- EPEAT® Gold registered with Climate+ designation¹
Key specifications:
- 14th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR7 dedicated)
- 16GB memory
- 1TB SSD
- 15.3-inch diagonal 2.5K display
- Windows 11 Home
- Shadow black finish
Not every HyperX OMEN 15 configuration is ENERGY STAR certified. Check the product page for the model you choose.
HP OmniDesk desktop PC
The HP OmniDesk handles everyday work, school, and streaming in a compact tower.
Sustainability features (M02-0055t):
- ENERGY STAR® certified¹
- EPEAT® Gold registered with Climate+ designation¹
- Made with 65% post-consumer recycled plastic²
- Made with 20% recycled metal²
- 180W 80 PLUS® Gold certified power supply
Key specifications:
- Intel® Core™ i5-14400 processor (10 cores, up to 4.7 GHz)
- 16GB DDR5-4800 memory
- 512GB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ M.2 SSD
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth® 5.4
- USB-C® and a wide selection of ports
- Meteor silver or jack black finish
HP Envy 6555 all-in-one printer
The HP Envy 6555 prints, copies, and scans, and it has a 35-sheet automatic document feeder and a 2.4-inch color touchscreen. You can set it up and print from your phone or laptop with the HP app.
Sustainability features (C2XR6A):
- ENERGY STAR® certified¹
- EPEAT® registered¹
- Made with at least 60% post-consumer recycled plastic³
- Recyclable through HP Planet Partners
- FSC® certified packaging⁴
Key specifications:
- Print speed up to 10 ppm black and 7 ppm color
- Automatic two-sided printing
- 100-sheet input tray
- Dual-band Wi-Fi®
- HP Instant Ink ready
- Power use of 4.25W ready, 1.90W sleep, and 0.175W off⁵
Shop the HP Envy 6555 All-in-One Printer
ENERGY STAR vs. EPEAT
ENERGY STAR focuses on energy use. EPEAT is a separate registry, managed by the Global Electronics Council, that looks at a product's broader environmental criteria across its lifecycle. Products can be EPEAT registered at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold level. A single device can be both ENERGY STAR certified and EPEAT registered, and each label covers different criteria.
Want to know more about our own sustainability work? Read our latest HP Sustainable Impact Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ENERGY STAR certified mean?
ENERGY STAR certified means a product has met the ENERGY STAR program's energy efficiency requirements and has been tested by an independent, EPA-recognized laboratory. Certified products use less electricity than comparable non-certified models.
Is ENERGY STAR going away?
ENERGY STAR is not going away. In March 2026, the EPA and the Department of Energy agreed to move program leadership to DOE, with the full transition scheduled for completion by July 2027.
Do ENERGY STAR computers really save money?
ENERGY STAR computers are built to use less electricity than comparable non-certified models, which may lower energy bills. Actual savings depend on how long the computer is used each day and on local electricity rates.
How do I know if my HP laptop is ENERGY STAR certified?
Check the specifications on the HP product page or the documentation that came with the laptop. You can also search the model number in the ENERGY STAR product finder on energystar.gov.
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About the Author
Dwight Pavlovic is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Dwight is a music and technology writer based out of West Virginia.
