How to buy energy efficient electrical equipment

This applies when purchasing both new electrical equipment and new components for existing plant and equipment, for example a new ventilator for an existing ventilation system.

The easiest way to achieve this is by informing the supplier or shop that the equipment must comply with the Trust’s purchasing requirements. Purchasers should refer suppliers to the appropriate pages, which can be accessed directly at www.savingtrust.dk/publications/guidelines. Alternatively, suppliers should be given a printed copy of the guidelines, or informed about the electronic version.

Tendering
When putting equipment out to tender, purchasers can copy the requirements from the relevant pages of the Trust’s guidelines to the equipment specifications in the tender documents, thereby making it clear that offers will only be considered for products that comply with the Trust’s purchasing requirements.

Advanced use
Danish purchasers wishing to play a more active role in the choice of products can check the Trust’s recommended lists covering a whole range of energy efficient products. Product information and availability can be checked on the Trust's Danish website at www.goenergi.dk/indkoeb.

Prospective purchasers can also check the technical specifications for the equipment to see whether they comply with the Trust’s purchasing requirements.

Purchasing through SKI
SKI (National Procurement Ltd – Denmark) offers framework contracts for use by the Danish public sector. This not only provides the sector with easy access to lower prices but also avoids having to solicit an EU tender.

SKI’s electronic purchasing system is where to get help with finding products that comply with the Trust’s purchasing requirements.

Calculate lifetime running costs
Purchasing equipment also involves buying electricity over the total lifetime of the equipment. So it's important to remember to calculate the total lifetime running costs when comparing prices for different equipment.

Lifetime running costs are the sum of the purchase price and the annual cost of the electricity multiplied by the expected lifetime of the product.

Environmentally friendly purchasing
Purchasing energy efficient equipment is also good for the environment. But purchasers wanting do even more can stipulate additional environmental requirements, for example by using the Danish Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental guidelines at www.miljoevejledninger.dk.

Requirements are based on international labelling schemes
The Trust's requirements for energy efficient purchasing featured in the Purchasing Guidelines are based on international energy labelling schemes, including EU energy labelling schemes, Energy Star and GEEA*.

This ensures that there are enough electrical appliances to choose from, and that appliances which fulfil the requirements are the most energy efficient.The requirements are reviewed and updated once a year.

* Although disbanded, the Trust is still using GEEA specifications from 2007 for individual products.