We’ve spoken about Going Green, and the little things we can do to save our future. So as a Webhost, what else can you do? Well, for one thing, when shopping for servers, go for something Green. How will you know if the server you are looking at is “Green”? and I’m not talking about the color!

Thankfully, there are a number of certifications out there you should look for, that indicate just how green that particular piece of hardware is. Many countries have their own certification programs, so depending on where your planning to make your purchase, look for certifications valid in that country. Lets take a look at a few:

ENERGY STAR® – By far one of the most popular symbols associated with saving energy, ENERGY STAR® is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

China Energy Conservation Program (CECP) – This certification for energy saving and environmental-friendly products, is a voluntary program aiming to save energy and reduce emissions through stimulating manufacturers to produce more resource efficient products and helping consumers to make more sustainable purchase decisions

Blue Angel – The Blue Angel is awarded to companies as kind of a reward for their commitment to environmental protection. They use it to professionally promote their eco-friendly products in the market.

Climate Savers Computing Initiative’s (CSCI) – Started by Google and Intel in 2007, participants in the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, computer and component manufacturers commit to producing products that meet specified power-efficiency targets, and corporate participants commit to purchasing power-efficient computing products.

EcoLogo TM – Founded in 1988 by the Government of Canada but now recognized world-wide, EcoLogo TM provides customers – public, corporate and consumer – with assurance that the products and services bearing the logo meet stringent standards of environmental leadership.

Taiwan Green Mark – Launched in August 1992, the objectives of awarding the Green Mark, it is not only to persuade consumers to purchase environmental friendly products but also to encourage manufacturers to design and supply “green” products.

These are just to name a few. Keep an eye out for any certification/logo associated with the products you intend to buy. This will give you an idea on just how good they are. Of course many companies are now introducing whole new lines of “green” products. Here are a few for some of the big guns, Dell and IBM. Check them out. Paying a premium for such products may seem like much now, but it will be nothing compared to what we will have to pay if we don’t.

About the Author:

Hamish works as a Senior Software Engineer in Bobcares. He joined Bobcares in July 2004, and is an expert in Control panels and Operating systems used in the Web Hosting industry. He is highly passionate about Linux and is a great evangelist of open-source. When he is not on his xbox, he is an avid movie lover and critic.