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EPA expands Energy Star water cooler certification guidelines

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June 24, 2021

More water coolers will be able to qualify for Energy Star certification under the U.S. Environmental Agency's newly released Version 3.0 Water Cooler Final Specification, according to the National Automatic Merchandising Association.

"The updated standards will allow for a broader range of equipment to be certified with the Energy Star seal," Mike Goscinski, NAMA senior director, external affairs, said in a prepared statement. "We're pleased to see the final specification expand access to equipment dispensing sparkling, alkaline or flavored water – increasing the use of certified equipment in micro markets and office breakrooms."

The updated standards create new definitions and categories for water coolers and energy consumption based on factors such as location traffic volume, according to NAMA. Certification under version 3.0 is allowed to begin immediately and version 2.0 will be phased out for new certifications in October 2021.