Telephones

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ENERGY STAR certified residential telephones, on average, are 40% more efficient than conventional products.  If all cordless and corded residential telephones sold in the United States were ENERGY STAR certified, the energy cost savings would grow to $40 million each year and 635 million pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented, equivalent to the emissions from more than 60,000 vehicles.

Earning the ENERGY STAR means products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Home electronics that have earned the ENERGY STAR deliver exceptional features, while using less energy. Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change.

Current Specification Effective Date: October 2014

Telephony products originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR in 2002.

Telephone Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

What Else Should I Look for When Shopping for Cordless Telephones?

In addition to energy performance, there are many other important operating and convenience features to consider when shopping for cordless phones. This information is provided so you can select the best product for your individual needs.

Multi-Handset Capable

If you are limited in the number of phone-jacks that you have, or do not wish to install multiple jacks throughout your home, a dual or multi handset capable phone may be the choice for you. These phones incorporate a main base unit that plugs into a phone-jack and an electrical outlet, and can support anywhere from one to eight additional handsets. Only an electrical outlet is needed for the additional handsets and their charging cradles.

Radio Frequency

Cordless phones are actually a radio transmitter/receiver that operates across a designated radio frequency. Many of today’s cordless phones use DECT 6.0 technology, which provides improved range without needing to boost the power. This platform has been set aside for cordless phone use to eliminate any interference created by other wireless networks.

Energy-saving features: Many ENERGY STAR certified cordless telephones have power-conserving features and modes that reduce radio frequency output and energy consumption when the handset is closer to the base station.

Concerned about security? Then choose DSS (digital spread spectrum) technology. It spreads the phone’s digital information in pieces over several frequencies, making it almost impossible for others to listen in.

Traditional and Voice-over Internet Protocol Service

Consumers have the option of traditional landline service or service from their cable or Internet service providers using Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Existing cordless telephones can be used with either service. For VoIP service, the base of a multi-handset cordless phone can be connected with a standard (RJ-11) phone wire to the cable modem provided by the service provider. Speak with your service provider or local retailer to learn more about both options.

Use Your Home Phone for Cell Phone Calls

Many cordless telephones offer Bluetooth or other low power wireless technologies that allow you to connect your cell phone to the base unit to make or receive cellular and landline calls throughout your home with ease.