OSU Employee Resources
Appliance Buying Guidelines
A core value of Oklahoma State University is dedication to the efficient and effective use of resources and sustainability practices to conserve those resources [see OSU Strategic Plan]. Therefore, OSU encourages the consideration of total cost of ownership when goods are purchased.
In determining total cost of ownership, the university may consider the cost of the good, the energy consumption, maintenance costs, the costs of upgrades over the life of the item and the projected cost of energy over the useful life of the good, and the anticipated resale or salvage value of the product.
OSU shall use energy efficiency standards prescribed by Energy Star for the purchase of energy consuming goods. Energy Star, through its website, provides a qualified list of goods meeting Energy Star’s minimum energy specifications, life cycle costing calculations, life cycle cost formula information, and qualified goods that meet Energy Star’s rating for using less energy and helping to protect the environment.
Goods listed on the Energy Star websites’ list of qualified goods will be used as “acceptable brands and models” for purchase. The minimal energy specifications for goods listed on the Energy Star Certified Products list should be included in the line item specifications on all response documents for the purchase of energy consuming goods.
Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use
Things to consider when choosing an appliance:
-
- Total Cost of Ownership
- ADA Compliance
- Energy Star Certification
- Annual Utility Consumption and Cost of Operation
- Cost of Repairing Existing vs Replacement -- Will utility cost savings from new, more efficient appliance offset the difference between repairing the old and the cost of replacement?